Stacey Berg Signs With Dakota State

By Sam Conner
   Winslow High School athlete Stacey Berg signed a scholarship with Dakota State College of Madison, S.D., Monday. Berg plans to play both football and basketball for the Trojans. The scholarship he signed was for football, but football coach Josh Anderson indicated that he would like to see Berg play both sports.
   During his time at WHS, Berg has been an exceptional athlete in football, basketball and track. He was quarter-back for the Bulldogs in 2007 and guided the team to the state tournament, where they won their first playoff game. He was a post player and center on the basketball team, which also make it to the state playoffs. He participates in track as a long and triple jumper, and a member of the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relay teams.
   In 2008, Berg moved from quarterback to wide receiver, and was the punter and place kicker for the team both years. He also played a defensive back. He was the 3A North Region Offensive Player of the Year in 2008, and re-ceived All State first team honors as a wide receiver and kicker and second team honors as a punter. He was All 3A North Region first team wide receiver and kicker, and was the Arizona Central All State kicker.
   Berg was All 3A North Region in basketball in both 2008 and 2009. The 6’3”, 185 to 190-pound athlete is a standout in each of the sports he has played and is also an exceptional student. He was the speaking captain of the football team, and has been a leader in community projects for the football and other teams and high school activi-ties.
   His father, Kevin Berg is a Baptist minister and a former McDonald’s All American basketball player. He is a backer and supporter of WHS athletics. His mother, Melissa Berg, is also a supporter of athletics both for Stacey and for their younger children.
   Stacey will graduate from WHS this spring, and will play in the high school all star game on June 9 as a wide receiver.
   The coach of the Dakota State Trojans is Josh Anderson, who was the coach of Payson High School in the 2008 season. The Payson Longhorns won the Arizona State 3A Conference Championship under Anderson and defeated Winslow in an early season game, 49-21. Berg played well and scored two of Winslow’s touchdowns. Stacey was one of the first Arizona players Anderson signed. He also signed his quarterback, Ridge Halenar from Payson, and 18 other Arizona players.
   Anderson is quoted as saying that Stacey is an exceptional athlete who should be able to play both football and basketball at Dakota State. Stacey is appreciative of the opportunity to play both of the sports in which he has col-lege level talent.