Naseem Wertz was very thankful.
Wertz is a senior two-way starter on the Northeast High School football team, and he’s had to learn a few new systems over his three years on the Vikings.
During his sophomore year, after transferring from Imhotep Charter, Wertz played for Eric Clark. He learned a lot from his first coach.
Then Ryan Nase took over the program during his junior year. On top of learning new plays, Wertz learned a lot about himself thanks to Nase.
This year, Nick Lincoln took over the program. And once again, Wertz picked up a lot from his coach.
Instead of looking at the negatives of having different systems, Wertz sees it as nothing but a positive for him as a football player and person.
“Change can be tough, you have to learn new plays, a new offense and you have to learn what the coaches want,” said Wertz, who lives in Frankford. “It was a little tough, but we won games and every coach made us better.
“Coach Clark taught me the game. I didn’t know how to play, I was hurt at Imhotep my freshman year. I needed to learn how the high school game was played. He taught me the game and gave me some ideas on what to do. He also taught me to be tough and hard working.
“Coach Nase taught me a whole lot, too. The biggest thing he taught me was to be a leader. I was still young, my first year playing was sophomore year, so I was still learning and he taught me football. But he turned me into a leader. He made me a leader and captain and taught me how to be a good leader. How to help my teammates.
“Coach Linc? He’s taught me everything. The biggest thing he preaches is culture and family and being together. He taught me how to bond with my team on and off the field, for real, for real. This year, we needed a leader who can make plays and be there for his teammates. I feel like because I had these three coaches, I’m better. They’ve definitely helped me become a better player and person.”
And now he’s paying it forward.
The senior recently wrapped up his final season at Northeast. His final game was a goodie. He helped the Vikings stay dominant over Central. Northeast knocked off its Thanksgiving rival 37-21 in the traditional game.
While there were many Vikings who put up big numbers, Wertz had himself a nice day, scoring two touchdowns. The tight end caught a 1-yard TD pass and scored from 40 yards out on a jet sweep.
It was the perfect way to wrap up a great season and a career that included a lot of hard work and a lot of wins, including advancing to the Public League 6A semifinals.
When you have a deep run in the playoffs and end the season with a win over the Lancers, that’s a good season.
“It meant a lot to win because it’s not about me, it’s about the program,” Wertz said of his final high school football game. “To see that, it’s a legacy. This Thanksgiving game is a huge game. There’s always a lot of alumni there. It’s always a big game for Northeast, the school and community. I didn’t want to go out with a loss to mess up the legacy.
“It felt great, it was raining, a little cold. Scoring twice, making the fans go crazy, it felt great. The turkey was better. And everyone around the school was happy we won. Central-Northeast is a huge game for our school and we had to win.”
Wertz’s high school football career is over, but he intends on playing in the future. He also has big plans for the rest of his senior year.
“The track coach asked me to come out and play,” Wertz said. “I’m throwing the shot put. I was already at practice for indoor. I like it and I’m learning a lot. I hope it will help me with whatever I do.”
He hopes that also includes playing college football.
“Next year I want to play in college,” said Wertz, who said he is open to playing whatever position the school needs. “I’m looking at (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) schools, Shippensburg, Bloomsburg, West Chester. I’d love to play over there and study sports marketing.
“I love how it’s business and I want to be tied in with sports, no matter what it is. Sports, football, basketball. I would love to be an agent. I saw Lamar Jackson has his mom as his agent. I could do that, make what’s best for me. That would be pretty good. And it’s different, it should be a fun job.”
As he does all that, he’ll have a lot of supporters.
And he knows he couldn’t do it alone.
“My mom, she teaches me a lot,” he said. “I love having her because she’s like a dad and a mom to me. That’s great to have. I would say my father, too. He takes me to camps, and he introduced me to the game. And my uncle, he’s close to my age, he played football, he went through the same steps. I was always close to him as a kid and I wanted to be like him and do what he does. He played at Millersville, high school he played at Frankford. He wanted me to go to Frankford. In my eighth-grade year, I wasn’t familiar with high school football. They had a great coach, Frankford, but I’m glad I came to Northeast.
“I’m just a guy who works hard and I appreciate all the help I’ve been given. I’m very lucky. Northeast has been great.”
