And it was the six points in the second half that proved to be the difference.

Senior Paul Montoro's short run in the third quarter turned the Knights' 31-29 halftime deficit into their only lead of the game and second win of the season. Montoro's six-yard romp, his third touchdown of the game and fourth of the season, gave the Knights a 35-31 victory.

King's will take a 2-0 record into a non-league game at Albany on Oct. 1. The 1:30 p.m. contest will be the Knights' final tune-up prior to their Bay League opener. They will tangle with St. Elizabeth of Oakland at Curt Flood Park on Oct. 8. TKA coach Ron Kellner hopes his Knights will continue the never-say-die spirit they showed against Greenfield in the upcoming road games.

After the visiting Bruins scored right away on two big plays--a 69-yard run and a 29-yard interception return--for a 13-0 lead, Montoro's one-yard bolt started the comeback. Later in the first quarter, trailing 19-7, Montoro again ran in from the one.

Greenfield extended its lead to 25-14, early in the second period on another interception return. Later, junior quarterback Sam Sussman took a keeper seven yards for another score. Then he tacked on a two-point PAT run, trimming the Knights' deficit to 25-22.

Each team scored again before halftime, the Bruins on another big play--a 60-yard run--and the Knights on junior Steve Lim's run from nine yards out.

Montoro, who finished the game with 82 rushing yards, also was a leader on defense with 15 tackles from his linebacker position. Senior Matt Smith was another two-way standout, leading the Knights' running attack with 107 yards and collecting two Greenfield fumbles from his defensive back position.

Homestead beats Fremont

What a difference a week makes.

Homestead, whose offense made several mistakes and struggled throughout a 33-7 defeat to Leland on Sept. 16, was able to score by land and air during a non-league win over Fremont Friday night.

Senior quarterback Gareth Pack passed for more than 100 yards and three touchdowns as the Mustangs beat Fremont 33-21.

"We played much better offensively, that's for sure," coach Charlie Bostic said after the Mustangs scored five touchdowns and improved to 2-1 in non-league play. "We will have to keep it up next week when we get into league play."

Bostic was referring to Sept. 30 when Palo Alto comes to Diesner Field for a Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division opener. The Vikings also are 2-1 after blasting Gunn 42-7.

While Homestead and Paly lock horns, Fremont will try to end a two-game losing skid when it squares off at Gunn in an El Camino Division opener. Both games are set for 7:30 p.m.

Pack, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, connected on 7 of 9 passes for 108 yards, including two touchdown throws to senior Jay Atkins and one to junior Shamir Ross.

After scoring his team's only touchdown the week before against Leland, Ross added two more against the Firebirds, one on a catch and another on a run. An all-league performer at the frosh-soph level last season, Ross ran the ball seven times against Fremont for 86 yards and one touchdown.

"He continues to develop," Bostic praised, noting that it helps open things up for running back Atkins and another junior wingback Brian Backo.

Atkins, after being held to 34 yards on 12 carries by Leland's tough defense, broke loose for 116 yards on 21 rushes against Fremont. Backo was able to get into the end zone on a sweep.

After the Palo Alto game, Homestead continues De Anza play at Saratoga Oct. 7 at 3:15 p.m.

Following Gunn on Fremont's schedule is Cupertino. The Pioneers will visit Diesner Field Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

El Camino openers

While Monta Vista travels to Milpitas, Cupertino will look to snap a two-game skid when it hosts Los Altos in an El Camino Division opener. The Pioneers, who suffered through a 48-0 defeat to Evergreen Valley on Friday night, have lost two straight since beginning the season with a 22-0 win over Sobrato.

Lynbrook starts El Camino play at Santa Clara, 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 1. The Vikings dropped to 0-3 with a 39-6 loss to Saratoga last Friday afternoon.