Sachem East flag football's Kacey Berger is Newsday's Athlete of the Week

When the Sachem East flag football program graduated its senior class last June, coach Greg Bosch asked Kacey Berger to take on more of an offensive role.

She didn't hesitate to say yes.

"I was super excited to get the opportunity," Berger said. "Last year, there were so many amazing seniors. Now this year, I get to play and show off what I can do."

"We saw her abilities and we, as a staff, said to ourselves, 'Alright, we've got to work this kid in the offense," Bosch said.

Even though she only played defense last season, Bosch recognized Berger's athleticism and knew she had all the tools to be a running back.

"We knew from early indications that she was going to thrive in that role," Berger said. "Her speed, burst, and her acceleration are something you can't teach."

Her athleticism came in handy against Northport last Wednesday. As the pocket was collapsing, quarterback Sofia Larrea dumped it off to Berger, who used her breakaway speed to score a 78-yard touchdown with two minutes left in regulation to give Sachem East a 21-19 lead. She then had the game-deciding sack to preserve the lead. She finished with 122 receiving yards, a score, three sacks, six tackles for loss and eight flag pulls.

Newsday's Athlete of the Week followed that up with 98 all-purpose yards, a touchdown, four flag pulls and two tackles for loss in a 26-13 win over Bay Shore on Tuesday.

"It's unbelievable," Bosch said. "On both sides of the ball, she's a huge difference maker. She has the natural abilities that make her difficult to deal with."

Berger is a three-sport athlete who plays field hockey in the fall and does cheerleading in the winter. She says playing multiple sports helps maintain her athleticism.

"It's definitely more tiring, but since I also play field hockey, it helped me with my endurance and stamina," Berger said. "It's all similar training-wise, especially mentally. It prepares me to become more competitive."

In addition to her performances on the field, Berger maintains a 101 GPA.

"I love sports, but school always comes first," Berger said. "I'm always trying to get school work done. It's hard sometimes, but I try my best to balance the two."

Berger also helps tutor younger students in math and volunteers as a youth cheerleading coach.

"It allows me to help others, not just in sports, but in general," Berger said. "People are going to go through struggles, and I want to be there to help them."

Bosch recalled the moment he first met Berger and instantly knew she exemplified all the qualities of a true leader.

"It's her approach to everything," Bosch said. "She doesn't take a play off, and she applies that to every aspect of her life."

By Jonathan Ruban

jonathan.ruban@newsday.com

Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.