The Firebirds, who defeated Lynbrook 30-6 and tied Santa Clara 7-7 in the previous two weeks, were ahead of Cupertino 13-0 midway through the second quarter of their home game on Oct. 15 at Diesner Field.

But after Cupertino trimmed the score to 13-7 on a 13-yard run by powerful running back Bronson Farr, the Pioneers talked defense during intermission.

One of Cupertino's assistant coaches, Jason Barbeau, "made a great defensive adjustment that allowed us to shut them out in the second half," explained Cupertino head coach Al Diaz. The strategy change helped the Pioneers shut down Fremont's running game in the second half and claim a 27-13 victory.

Barbeau had used the 15-minute intermission to instruct his defensive linemen and linebackers to stop slanting into the gaps between Fremont's offensive linemen and instead meet the linemen "straight on."

As the Pioneers carried out Barbeau's instructions, Fremont's running attack stalled and sputtered. The Firebirds, who had put together a couple of long scoring drives in the first half, found the going much tougher in the third and fourth quarters.

Meanwhile, Cupertino did some running of its own. Senior Bronson Farr led the way with 237 yards and two touchdowns, one a 45-yard dash to put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter. Fremont led 13-0 on the strength of short scoring runs by Nathan Cathcart and Juan Arce and a PAT kick by Jason Custer. Farr scored for Cupertino on a 16-yard run midway through the second quarter and Max Ingraham's first of four PAT kicks narrowed Fremont's lead to 13-7.

Cupertino went ahead in the third quarter on a fourth-and-two pass. Quarterback Travis Scibetta connected with Asim Alam for 43 yards and a touchdown. Moments later, Renato Linares bolted into the end zone from the 2-yard line, capping a long march.

After Farr put the Pioneers ahead by 14 with his long TD run in the fourth quarter, Fremont mounted its only threat of the second half. But after a long pass completion by quarterback Cookie Mills put the Firebirds inside Cupertino's 10, a Fremont ball carrier fumbled and Jonathan Hiley recovered for Cupertino.

Andy Walczak's Fremont squad now is 1-1-1 in El Camino Division play and 2-3-1 overall going into a non-league game Oct. 22 against rival Homestead. The game is set for 3:15 p.m. at Homestead.

The Mustangs are coming off two straight losses in the De Anza Division. Homestead started strong with four straight wins, including the league opener against Gunn, before losing to Wilcox on Oct. 8 and Milpitas 46-21 last Friday night.

After opposing Cupertino's Farr last week, Fremont will be up against another strong runner in Chris Morris, who has been Homestead's top yardage producer and scorer this season. Last season as a junior Morris scored five touchdowns to lead the Mustangs to an amazing 53-40 win over Fremont.

In last year's match-up between the neighboring schools, Morris had to deal with Fremont defensive backs Jay Atkins and Aaron Hickson. This season, though, Atkins and Hickson are wearing green and white jerseys.

Both transferred to Homestead last season and have been key performers in the Mustangs' defensive backfield. Both former Firebirds also get some offensive duty for Charlie Bostic's squad. Atkins usually helps Morris with some of the running back duties and Hickson has been on the receiving end of a few of quarterback Jake Mecchi's passes.

Homestead still must contend with Cathcart, however. Against Santa Clara two weeks ago, the junior defensive back stepped in front of a Bruin receiver to intercept a pass and return it the distance for the Firebirds' only touchdown.

Linemen Emil Frazier, Ruben Chagoya, Alex Tucker and Sean Garrett and linebackers Adrian Arias and Shawn Church are all seniors looking to stop Morris and company and avenge last year's barnburner defeat.

Cathcart, Church, Joe Maes, Arce and Mills are the legs to Fremont's running attack. Homestead will counter with a defensive front led by linemen Grant Martinez, Matt Diehl and Marc Robinson, linebacker Greg Jackson and defensive backs Atkins, Hickson, Tyler Dailey and Craig Moberg.

Kings set for opener

The Kings Academy will square off with Harker Academy at San Jose's PAL Stadium on Oct. 22. It will be the first of three games in the Private Schools Athletic League for both teams.

Kings' game against Wilson Prep of Oakland, scheduled for last Saturday afternoon, was canceled because Wilson's head coach suffered a heart attack and died earlier in the week.

The Knights are 3-1-1 entering Friday's 7:30 p.m. contest, while Harker is 2-4.

Senior running back David Norris has been the Knights' offensive leader thus far. Norris has gained 486 yards and seven touchdowns on 84 carries. He also has kicked 10 extra points and one field goal for a total of 57 points.

The Montoro brothers, J.T. Martin and Jake Lassy have been the defensive leaders for the Knights during the first five games. Josh Montoro leads the team with 58 tackles, three more than Paul. Martin enters the Harker game with 46 and Lassy has 39. Matt Smith, who has two of the team's three interceptions, has been a part of 28 tackles, three more than Tim Svozil. Ji Jo, the quarterback sacks leader with three, and Kyle Tompane both have been in on 21.