By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post Sports
HAYS – The Fort Hays State football team opened preseason camp Monday without one of their prized off-season signees. Quarterback Jackson Berry, who was named the MIAA Offensive Player of the Year after leading Pittsburg State to the MIAA title last season, was not among the players in uniform.
Berry had committed to FHSU after receiving an extra year of eligibility and participated in summer workouts with the team, but has opted to give up football.
“He just had a better opportunity he felt right now than to play football and so he kind of retired” head coach Chris Brown said after practice Monday.
“We still got Major Catrell, we still got plenty of guys that can fit in, you know Mason McMinn, Kody Guy, all of those guys that can get the job done.” Brown said. “It was good to have a guy with some experience in this league and this conference. You know he had to make a decision that was best for him and he felt that was it.”
Berry’s departure leaves FHSU with one quarterback who’s seen time in a Tiger uniform. Redshirt sophomore Mason McMinn saw time at Northwest Missouri State last season and completed 3 of 5 passes for 24 yards.
Redshirt freshman Kody Guy was with the team last season but didn’t appear in any games. Sophomore Major Cantrell transferred from Iowa State where he appeared in three games in two season with the Cyclones.
Berry played 13 games at Pittsburg State last season and passed for 2,711 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. The Prosper, Texas native played at Division I Southern Utah prior to transferring to PSU prior to last season.