WINDSOR– If there was any hangover after last week’s loss at state-ranked Edenton, Bertie High School didn’t show any ill effects of that narrow seven-point loss here Friday night.

Instead of hanging their heads, coach Greg Watford’s troops picked up the pieces and moved on with a convincing 28-6 conference win over visiting Pasquotank High School.

With the win, the Falcons improved to 4-2 overall and evened their league record at 1-1.

Despite somewhat of a sluggish start (despite an 80-yard kick-off return to the five yardline to start the game by Jaquil Hafiz, which eventually produced no points), Bertie got its offensive act together, producing 321 yards and four TD’s. Hafiz ran for two of those scores while quarterback David Watford came off the bench to throw for one touchdown and ran for another.

Hafiz (128 yards rushing) and Watford (101 yards) led Bertie’s ground attack.

After a scoreless first quarter, Bertie got on the board after taking over at the Panthers 36 yardline following a short punt. Three plays later, Hafiz electrified the home crowd by refusing to be tackled, zigzagging his way to a 34-yard TD run. Luke Davis booted the PAT, staking Bertie to a 7-0 lead at the 9:34 mark of the second quarter.

It appeared that score would stand until halftime, especially when the Falcons got the ball back after a punt at their own 26 yardline with 68 seconds left in the half. However, three snaps later, Watford aired a pass to Shykie Mitchell, who grabbed the ball from the Pasquotank defender, ducked under his would-be tackle and completed a 60-yard pass-run TD. Davis added the PAT for a 14-0 halftime lead.

Bertie padded its lead to 21-0 with 3:14 left in the third quarter where Watford broke off a 90-yard scamper to the endzone. Davis booted the PAT.

Pasquotank avoided the shutout by blocking a Bertie punt and taking over at the Falcons 28 yardline. Six plays later, David Henne tossed an 18-yard TD pass to Dionte Davis. The PAT kick was blocked.

Set-up by Malcolm Cherry’s interception at his own 35 yardline, Hafiz “took it to the house” by reeling off a 65-yard scoring run with 6:10 left in the game.Davisadded the PAT.

Bertie will host league heavyweight Northeastern High School at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28.