James “Spike” Berry quarterbacked Bluffton’s football team to four Mid-Ohio League championships, and he earned 10 letters in three Bluffton sports—just as he had at Bluffton High School.

He went on to a successful career as head football coach at nearby Cory-Rawson High School, where his teams won 10 Blanchard Valley Conference championships and were undefeated six times.

Berry’s 1968 Hornets were designated as Class A state champions after going unbeaten and unscored upon. He was named Ohio Class A Coach of the Year, as well as Northwest District Class A Coach of the Year by the Associated Press and United Press International.

He coached in Ohio all-star games in 1969 and 1978, and was director of the Ohio-Pennsylvania high school all-star game in 1975. He also served as president of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association.