The non-league victory over the Firebirds gave the Falcons reason to celebrate on homecoming weekend at Saratoga, and it helped the Falcons pull closer to the .500 mark for the season with a 3-5 record overall.

"We won the kicking and defensive phases of the game, and offense was a toss-up," said Saratoga coach Kurt Heinrich of the Saturday victory. "We won two of the three phases of the game, and that enabled us to sneak off with a good homecoming win."

"A lot of guys played who we hadn't expected to carry us to a win," he added. "That's a great testament to the kids for their grit to fight and win."

The Falcons managed to walk off with the victory despite a lackluster offensive day. Still, Saratoga was opportunistic and managed to thrill the homecoming crowd with an exciting victory.

The Firebirds scored first in the game, but the Falcons answered within seconds. Immediately following the Fremont score, Alex Lagemann broke a kick off return 98 yards for a touchdown and Nicholas May's extra point gave Saratoga the 7-6 lead.

Lagemann faked a reverse to Scott Newberry, picked up a key block from Joey Pollard and raced untouched for the score.

The score remained the same until early in the fourth quarter when Fremont scored again to take a 12-7 lead with 10:23 left to play. It was plenty of time for the Falcons to battle back.

A double-pass set up Saratoga's next score. Kevin Sieczkarek pitched to Newberry, who tossed a 60-yard pass to Lagemann to take the Falcons deep into Fremont territory. Newberry then scored on an 8-yard run, and Sieczkarek hit Lagemann for the two-point conversion.

There was still more than eight minutes left to play, and the Falcons threatened again when they moved to the Fremont 1-foot line.

"I thought [Jeff] Frederickson had made it," said Heinrich.

The Falcons were hit with a penalty, and couldn't convert on three downs. They went for it on fourth down, but a pass was picked off and returned 50 yards, Newberry making a touchdown-saving tackle.

Fremont moved to the Saratoga 10-yard line and faced a fourth-and-two with no time outs remaining. The Firebirds went to the air, but Frederickson was there to break up the pass and the Falcons held on for the win.

"They raised up and went for it, saying 'our is better than your guy, whoever gets it will win,' " said Heinrich. "And our guy won."

Frederickson was part of the solid defensive crew for the Falcons in the win. Newberry, Pollard, Augie Lagemann, Jordan Eliastam, Mike Smith and Cameron Ballingall were all praised for their work defensively.

"We held them on defense," said Heinrich. "The defense did a really nice job all game long. Overall, our defense really came through for us when they had to."

The coach was pleased with the way quarterbacks Sieczkarek and Newberry ran the offense and singled out running backs Frederickson and Steven Marinero for solid performances. Alex Lagemann finished the day with four reception for 83 yards and also had the kick off return for the TD.

Saratoga will return to De Anza Division play this week, taking its 1-3 record up against Mountain View (2-3 in league, 3-5 overall) on Nov. 4, 2:45 p.m.

"They're a good club," said Heinrich of the Spartans. "They've got some guys, and [head coach Dan Navarro] does and excellent job of play calling."