There’s no easing into senior year for Pocola’s Jayden Berry—he’s got high expectations and a full-speed approach to reaching them. “I would like to have 1,200 yards on the upcoming season and to gain a few offers,” Berry said. “That’s the goal I’m working toward every day.”
While this is Berry’s first year at Pocola, that hasn’t stopped him from jumping in and getting after it. “I’m not completely sure [how things were last year]—I wasn’t at Pocola last year,” he admitted. But now, he’s locked in with a team that’s hungry to make a deep run.
“We’ve come together as a team a lot more these last few weeks,” he said. “Rather than playing for ourselves, we’re playing for each other.” That sense of unity has been the foundation of a focused summer. “We are working towards a state title this year,” Berry said. “Almost everyone has shown up to all of the summer practices and workouts.”
Pocola’s strength right now? “We communicate well,” he said. That’s made a difference on both sides of the ball, especially in the pass game—a part of the offense he’s proud of. “We have a great pass game,” Berry added.
Lining up at wide receiver and defensive end, Berry keeps his preparation sharp and detail driven. “I work on my cuts and acceleration,” he said. “Offensively, I have to have a good break every time. Defensively, I’m stronger and faster than anyone I line up against.”
When reading a defense, Berry keys in on positioning. “I look to see if the corner is pressing or playing flats,” he said. “And which side the safety is closer to.”
As for what he wants to leave behind? “That I was one of the strongest to come through Pocola,” he said without hesitation.
His favorite memory so far came in competition. “7v7 tournament at Mena—head tap,” he said with a laugh.
Jayden Berry is a 5’10” senior who also competes in track and baseball. After graduation, he plans to go to college and continue playing football.
