Last fall, Berschwinger thought his playing career might be over after removing six inches of his colon and requiring emergency surgery. Less than a month later, his anxiety changed from his idea of a career as a player to getting ready to return to the Dutch national team. He continued playing basketball before working to bulk up for the senior football season.
Bersinger, who will be playing on a full scholarship at the University of Albany, had a best senior season at outside linebacker, tight end and punter.
“If you were sitting in a hospital bed and they told you they were going to play for U Albany, you would say you were crazy,” Burshwinger said. “Ridiculous. I’m so grateful.”
“It’s unbelievable,” said Guilderland manager Dan Penna. “I really didn’t expect him to play football for at least that season, let alone play again. It was really great.”
As a junior, Berschwinger weighed 200 pounds before surgery. He dropped his weight to his 180 and his weight back to 210 over the winter. He worked out the summer and added 20 pounds of muscle. His work on the field proved exemplary as Berschwinger recorded his 64 tackles, 5 sacks and 2 interceptions. Sr. was named Section II Class AA Defensive Player of the Year.
“What was impressive about him was he was still playing when the team got away from him,” Pena said. “He could play in space and rush an edge.”
Berschwinger contested the South in the Exceptional Senior Game at Hudson Valley Community College.
“I’m proud of the hard work we’ve done in the offseason. I thought it was going to be a great year,” said Berschwinger. “It was disappointing that we didn’t make the playoffs, but we did very well in the All-Star Game.
“Being in the All-Star Game and being able to make an impact like he did showed the level he can play,” Pena said. , open gym, weight training, training I did myself, I was really serious about everything.I took every opportunity to make the most of my senior year.”