The Falcons were dropped for losses 11 times in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division game. And six times, it had something to do with either Wilcox or Power.

"They both played excellent games," Homestead coach Charlie Bostic said of his defensive leaders after Friday's game.

Saratoga was the victim of two lost fumbles, an interception and six quarterback sacks, and most of the time it was because Wilcox and Power were around the football.

The two led all Homestead defenders with six tackles apiece. Wilcox was in on three of the six quarterback sacks and he also recovered a fumble. Power had a sack and another tackle for a loss to lead an inspired defensive effort by the Mustangs, who held the Falcons to just 109 yards of total offense and only one offensive touchdown.

"They really rallied," said Bostic of his Mustangs. "We had a really intense practice on Wednesday and I think it carried over."

No doubt Saratoga would attest to that. The Falcons were held to just over 100 yards while the Mustangs ran up 301 yards of total offense. Still, it was Saratoga up 12-7 with 8:17 left to play after the Falcons scooped up a fumble and went 33 yards for the score. The defensive touchdown, though, seemed to wake up the Homestead offense.

Shavin Ross covered a line drive Saratoga kickoff at the Homestead 48, and quarterback Gareth Pack and the Mustangs went to work.

Jay Atkins, who led all ball carriers with 19 carries for 78 yards and a couple of touchdowns, raced for 15 yards and a few plays later Shamir Ross went six yards for a first down.

An eight-yard run by Brian Backo was good for another first down, then Shamir Ross followed blocks by Josh Laber and Ryan Candasco for 10 yards and the score.

After an offsides penalty moved the Mustangs to the 1 1/2-yard line for the conversion, Atkins dove up and over the top for the two-pointer to give Homestead a 15-12 lead.

An errant pitchout on Saratoga's first play after the kickoff was recovered by Wilcox, and a play later Adkins took a sweep around the left side for 21 yards and a touchdown. The Mustangs had scored twice in 24 seconds, and that quickly had the game in control.

Control was something the Homestead offensive line got used to on the day. Laber, Candasco and Jonathon Fernandez anchored the o-line that dominated the Falcons most of the day, especially in the final minutes of play.

"I think they really smelled the goal line," Bostic said of the boys up front as they led the Mustangs to two scores in the final period.

Saratoga had scored first in the game, but the Mustangs answered right back. Atkins returned the kick off 46 yards to the Saratoga 39, and a 23-yard run by Shamir Ross set up Atkins for a three-yard touchdown run over the left side.

That's how it remained until the final minutes when the Mustangs clinched the victory with two late scores.

Atkins led the ground attack with his 78 yards. Shamir Ross supported with 64 yards on 11 tries and Bostic had 68 yards on 11 carries.

Pack completed 5 of 10 passes for 91 yards, hitting Shamir Ross twice for 28, Backo twice for 16 and Wilcox once for 47.

Wilcox and Power were the tackling leaders along with Backo and Tom Andrews, who each had a sack among five tackles. Shamir Ross, Candacso, Phillip Birton, Alex Jones and Tim Vanderet were also among the tackling leaders. Candasco got in on a sack and Jones picked off a pass. Dominic Chapot recovered a Saratoga fumble.

The Mustangs, 3-2 for the year and 1-1 in the De Anza Division, will battle Mountain View on Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m., at Fremont's Diesner Field. The Spartans are 1-4 for the year and 0-2 in league play after losing 41-0 to Los Gatos last Friday.

Fremont 2-0 in league

Senior Julius Mills scored two touchdowns in each of Fremont's first two SCVAL El Camino games, leading the Firebirds to victories over Gunn and Cupertino.

The Firebirds will try to run their league record to 3-0 when they meet Monta Vista on Oct. 13 at Cupertino. After winning their league opener, a 14-0 day game at Gunn, the Firebirds routed Cupertino, 27-7, under the lights last Friday at Diesner Field.

Mills, who returned the opening kick-off 84 yards for one touchdown and ran 34 yards for another against Gunn, scored on runs of 60 and 20 yards against Cupertino. Mills gained 186 yards on 22 carries for Fremont, which scored all of its points against the Pioneers in the first half and did not yield a score until the fourth quarter.

Juan Arce, whose 12 tackles helped Fremont's defense shut out Gunn, caught a six-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jason Custer against Cupertino. Kevin Lincoln ran three yards for another score.

Custer, whose three touchdown passes and three PAT kicks accounted for all of Fremont's points in a 33-21 non-league loss to Homestead on Sept. 23, converted three of four extra points against Cupertino.

Mike Barnhart contributed to this story.