GARLAND – With a ruthless defense and a late surge, Garland turned a nail biter into a laugher.

Garland's defense manhandled Richardson Berkner, and running back Malcolm Robinson ran for two fourth-quarter touchdowns as Garland blew open a close game to topple Richardson Berkner, 27-3, at Garland Williams Stadium.

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In a game that entered the fourth quarter tied 3-3, Garland's defense pounded Berkner mercilessly, stuffing the triple option and holding its opponent to just 117 yards. Garland forced nine Berkner fumbles and recovered five of them, including Branden Wright's 5-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

"We knew coming in that they would be the best defense we'd faced, and they were," Garland coach Jeff Jordan said. "This is just about how we pictured this game going, with a tight defensive battle decided by turnovers in the fourth quarter."

The lopsided final score overshadowed a tremendous effort by the Berkner defense, which forced four turnovers, including two interceptions by defensive back Trey McGee.

After Richardson Berkner missed a field goal attempt in the fourth, Garland quarterback Adrian Phillips drove Garland into field goal range before kicker Eduardo Barajas drilled a 39-yard field goal.

Berkner fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Robinson, the third running back that Garland used on the evening, found the end zone from seven yards out on the next play.

"We've got a bunch of talented kids, and Malcolm got hot and we rode him the rest of the way," Jordan said.

Robinson, who ran for just 37 yards on five carries, scored another touchdown minutes later after another Berkner fumble.

Garland (10-1) will face the winner of today's game between Tyler Lee and A&M Consolidated.