Berkowitz Working During His ‘Flex’ Time

Rael Berkowitz, like most in Woodbridge’s undersized defense, is a classic “tweener.”

At 6 feet, 185 pounds, he’s not big enough to play a defensive line position or fast enough to play in the secondary, but the senior is good enough to be leading the county’s stingiest defense in tackles (110) and sacks (10 1/2)--and into the Southern Section Division VI championship game tonight against Santa Margarita.

So what’s his position? That depends on whom you ask.

Woodbridge defensive coordinator Kirk Harris calls Berkowitz a “flex tackle.” Berkowitz says he’s a “flex tackle/flex linebacker.”

In the context of Woodbridge’s “Arizona Desert Swarm” defensive scheme, Berkowitz’s spot is called the “right Warrior” position.

The terms are confusing enough, so imagine how Berkowitz felt when he was given his assignment.

“I was kind of lost out there,” he said. “I sort of got discouraged that I was a little small. But I told myself to rely on my game speed. You have to read a lot and react quickly. It’s a tough position. You have to get off your block as soon as possible or you’re out of the play.”

Gradually, Berkowitz began to find his way after moving to flex tackle from middle linebacker in the middle of his sophomore year. Last year, Berkowitz had some big games in Woodbridge’s first playoff season since 1991. But this season, everything fell in place.

“He’s been able to make things happen,” Harris said. “He has a feel for the game that’s amazing. The way he plays his position, it’s kind of a structured ad-lib. He goes and finds the ball.

“He’s been consistent every single game this year. If you wanted to, you could make him the defensive MVP of every game. That’s the beauty of Rael, he’s been so dependable.”

And so modest.

When asked how he managed to lead the team in sacks, Berkowitz credited his teammates for tying up enough blockers so he had a clear path to the quarterback.

“We’re a team defense, none of this would happen without everyone flying to the ball,” Berkowitz said.

Said Harris: “He’s so very humble. The kids are happy that he’s starting to get some recognition.”

Berkowitz was named first-team All-Sea View League this season, but he is not being recognized by many college coaches. Harris said he is trying to get Berkowitz a scholarship to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, which recently became a Division I football program.

“He’s got that strong safety body type, and he doesn’t have that 4.4 speed,” Harris said. “We have a lot of kids like that. He doesn’t pass the eye-ball test, but he passes the heart test.”

Tonight’s test is Santa Margarita. If the Warriors pass, they will win their first Southern Section title in 11 years. Berkowitz said he’s ready for the challenge of stopping Greg Orlando, the Eagles’ scrambling quarterback.

“Our whole game plan the first time was to stop Orlando,” said Berkowitz, whose team prevailed, 20-12, in the first meeting. “The first time we played them, [Orlando] couldn’t tell what defense we were in and we were able to hold him down.”

Harris knows it won’t be so easy this time.

“He’s the most dangerous person we’ve faced all year,” Harris said of Orlando. “We thought about keeping a spy on him, but I think we’re kind of going to have to have 11 spies. If you create a one-on-one with him, you probably aren’t going to stop him.”

The same theory might be used in stopping Berkowitz, who has usually been able to get the best of one-on-one matchups.

“I like to go against the big, slow guys,” Berkowitz said. “It’s the smaller guys, quick off the ball that give me trouble.”

But usually, it’s offensive guards and quarterbacks who find themselves in trouble with Berkowitz around.

“He’s pretty tough to block,” Harris said. “He seems to find a way to go through, around or over his blocker.”