The Pride struggled early, and the score was tied at halftime. Berrios didn't have much to show at that point. Plus, Quincy Mangum had returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown for the Cougars (1-2).

Berrios wanted to prove he also could make a special-teams play, and he did. He returned the second-half kickoff 96 yards to give the Pride a 21-14 lead, its first of the game.

Mangum's touchdown was his inspiration.

"That made me want to score a lot," Berrios said. "And the hole was huge, too. I don't know what [Apex] was doing, but our blocking was great for me."

At halftime, Leesville Road coach David Green told his players that they were fortunate to not be trailing. The Pride (2-1) had fumbled twice, and penalties had stall drives. But after Berrios' touchdown, the Pride continued to score by running.

Besides a physical running game, what made Leesville Road's offense interesting was how quarterback Josh Stanley baited Apex's defense. Although Stanley dropped back to pass 18 times, he completed just two passes. On the other attempts, Stanley usually ran for big gains, which included his 21-yard touchdown that was highlighted by Stanley giving a Cougars linebacker a stiff-arm before he ran into the end zone.

"Part of our pass game includes trying to spread people out to open up running lanes for him," Green said. "Sometimes, even if the receivers are open, if he sees the running lane, he going to take it and go. That's one thing he did tonight that he hadn't done the first two games."

Stanley said Berrios' touchdown return was contagious to the Pride's ability to run.

"I think if one person makes the big play, that really can spark someone else," he said. "I know I see Austin make his play, and now I'm ready to go."

Pride cornerback Cody Pyper and defensive end Ronald Harris each had an interception.

The Pride ran for 354 yards.