Preps

Berryhill awaits eligibility decision

Andrew Berryhill took the practice field with Salpointe Catholic's football team Monday, even though his high school sports career is still in limbo. The senior is awaiting an Arizona Interscholastic Association ruling on his eligibility because this year will mark his fifth in high school. Berryhill, 18, spent a year at a charter school after beginning his high school career at Sahuaro, where he spent less than a full year. He enrolled at Salpointe in 2003 as a sophomore. Berryhill must meet with AIA officials later this month to see if he can play when the Lancers open against Cienega on Sept. 2 in a nonregion game. "He can practice with us, but we won't know anything definitive about his status until he has a meeting with the AIA," Salpointe coach Dennis Bene said. Berryhill, a 6-foot-4-inch, 240-pound defensive end who has verbally committed to Arizona State, would surely be a key member of Salpointe's defense this season. But he and Bene are unsure if the senior will get that chance. Berryhill's family has retained a lawyer, Bene said. "Everything has been very confidential between his attorney and his family," Bene said. "We're very hopeful that it will work out in Andrew's favor, but we're in a bit of a holding pattern." Salpointe won the 5A Southern Region and advanced to the Class 5A state quarterfinals with an 8-4 record last year. Berryhill was offered a scholarship by ASU coach Dirk Koetter more than a year ago.