Suffolk News-Herald

Eric Berry’s football career at Nansemond River may have ended in November, but accolades for the senior Warrior have been pouring in ever since. The linebacker was named to the All-Southeastern District First team, and was voted the district’s top defensive player. In early January, he became the first River representative to receive a full scholarship to a Division I-A college, signing with Wake Forest.

Even before the season began, thousands outside of South Hampton Roads had already had a taste of the man his teammates nicknamed &uot;E-Berry.&uot; ESPN Magazine named him a preseason All-American, making him the first Warrior to obtain such an honor.

Berry knew he had a great deal to prove to himself and others after such a ranking. He did so, setting a team record with 140 tackles as his team defeated Churchland and Lakeland.

For his work on the gridiron of the Warriors’ field of battle, he received one more (at least, thus far) piece of national recognition in early January; Prepstar magazine named him of the top recruits of the class of 2004.

&uot;I felt like I fulfilled my dream,&uot; said Berry, who will get his final taste of Warrior sports on the school baseball fields this spring.

&uot;This gives me some momentum. I feel like I can hang with anybody, but I’m still going to work really hard over the summer.&uot;

That work ethic was instilled in him from the start at home. &uot;My dad, (Eric, Sr.) instilled in me to never settle for less than the best in life.&uot;