Marlon Walker returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown and the Yellowjackets’ defense caused three turnovers to beat the Pirates and remain unbeaten in the WACC-Foothill Division.
San Leandro (0-8, 0-3) was driving in Berkeley territory when Walker stepped in front of Stephen Johnson’s pass at his own 30-yard line and returned it 70 yards to put the Yellowjackets (3-4, 3-0) up 12-0 with 5:43 left in the first half.
The Pirates amassed 237 yards of offense in the first half and limited Berkeley to 85 yards, but San Leandro committed two first-half turnovers — both in Berkeley territory — and was stopped on the goal line on a fourth down and 4 play.
Berkeley allowed 330 yards of offense but intercepted two passes, including Jakari Simpson’s take away in the end zone, caused a fumble and sacked Johnson five times. Doug Stewart ended the game for Berkeley with a sack of Johnson on a 4th-and-5 play on the Pirates own 49-yard line with 20 seconds left in the game.
Akil Bordelon scored for the Yellowjackets on a 3 yard run with 31 seconds left in the first quarter to cap a 12-play 99-yard drive.
San Leandro countered three drives later when Johnson found Finau Mataafa for a 15-yard touchdown pass with 25 seconds left in the half and cut Berkeley’s lead to 12-7.
Randy Bell led the Pirates with 135 yards rushing on 19 carries. Bordelon led Berkeley with 61 yards on 10 carries, including his 3-yard touchdown run.