OREGON — Oregon High School senior Breccan Berns has committed to playing football for North Central College next season. The two-way standout said he plans to study business, with an emphasis on finance, in hopes that he can start his own small business after school.
“I was drawn to North Central College because the school has both great academic opportunities and athletic opportunities to compete at a high level,” Berns said. “The school isn’t too far from home and I really fell in love with the atmosphere within the football program. Everyone involved is fully invested in being successful. I’m looking forward to creating bonds with new teammates and hopefully being successful on the football field together.”
Berns has played quarterback and linebacker for the Hawks over the last four years, earning Big Northern Conference Second Team recognition during his junior season. A two-sport student-athlete who also plays baseball for the Hawks, Berns led Oregon’s varsity football team in both rushing and passing yards while also leading the conference in rushing carries as a junior.
“Breccan is the type of athlete you hope you can replace year in and year out, but the reality is that it’s extremely hard to find players like Breccan,” Oregon coach Nick Schneiderman said. “His ability to play both running back and quarterback last year gave him valuable experience to understand the offense. He developed the skills to excel in both positions and it really showed toward the end of his junior season, when we asked him to play both positions.”
Berns will unite with two local football players in William Jandak and James Hart, who attended Rochelle Township High School and currently play for the North Central College team. Berns and the Oregon Hawks kicked off the 2021 football season with a road matchup against Rockford Lutheran on Saturday, March 27. Once the football season concludes, Berns will gear up for his senior baseball season, when he’ll look to follow up a successful junior season during which he maintained a batting average over .400 and an on-base percentage over .600.
“My time playing football in Oregon has prepared me and made me really grateful to have the opportunity to continue playing football for the next four years,” Berns said. “Most of the guys I play with now have been my teammates since we were 9 years old. My experience here has been amazing, which makes me excited to hopefully create more memories at the next level.”
