Gwinnett Daily Post

Photo: David McGregor Meadowcreek's Daryl Dewindt (35) runs the ball unfield past Berkmar defenders Rashad Hall (4) and Mason Brown (14) in the first half at Meadowcreek Community Stadium on Friday evening in Norcross.

NORCROSS -- With Rashad Hall scoring two touchdowns after two Meadowcreek mistakes in the game's opening minutes, and quarterback Deion Perry running for two TDs and passing for another, Berkmar defeated Meadowcreek 31-8 Friday night at Meadowcreek Community Stadium.

Berkmar (1-1) caught the Mustangs napping on the game's opening kickoff with a pooch kick that the Patriots recovered at the Meadowcreek 33. After a 23-yard pass from senior quarterback Deion Perry to Dorren Miller moved the ball to the Mustangs' 4, Hall's 2-run TD run gave Berkmar a 6-0 lead.

"We take pride in our special teams," said Berkmar head coach Jonathan Sanks. "We approach it the same way as we approach offense and defense and we work hard at it."

Only four minutes later, on Meadowcreek's second possession, Hall intercepted a pass by Meadowcreek quarterback Patrick Mills and returned it 47 yards for a TD.

Despite controlling the ball for much of the first half, Berkmar's offense stalled four different times in Meadowcreek territory and failed to generate any points. The biggest disappointment was an 11-play drive that started at the Patriots' 20 and moved to the Mustangs' 1. Berkmar failed to score after committing an illegal procedure penalty, forcing them back to the 6, then throwing an incomplete pass.

Meadowcreek (0-2) threatened twice in the first half to close the 13-point gap. But two long drives into Berkmar territory resulted in a missed field goal and a fumble that was recovered by Berkmar with just more than one minute to play in the first half.

However, Meadowcreek's Alex Steele gave Meadowcreek points when he tackled Perry in the end zone just before half, cutting the lead to 13-2.

Berkmar clinched the victory on its second possession of the third period. Starting with a short field after a Meadowcreek punt traveled only 13 yards, Berkmar began its drive at the Mustangs' 33. After two runs netted three years, quarterback Perry dropped back to pass, could not find an open receiver, but scampered for a 30-yard TD.

Perry capped Berkmar's scoring in the fourth quarter with a 5-yard run and a 26-yard scoring toss to Michael Shaw.

Meadowbrook scored its lone TD in the fourth period on an impressive 68-yard drive. Quarterback Mills completed three passes on the drive to Kaleb Ross, including a 12-yard TD strike.

Meadowcreek's Ryan Moore led all rushers with 67 yards on 12 carries, while Berkmar's Devin Johnson had 63 yards on 16 carries.

Perry completed 8 of 21 passes for 166 yards and 1 TD while Meadowcreek's Mills completed six of 23 passes for 102 yards.