For nearly 3 1/2 quarters, the Firebirds battled. Twice they staved off scoring threats inside their 5-yard line, and they ended another Santa Clara challenge at the 11 early in the fourth quarter when Harold fell on a fumble. But Santa Clara broke the game open with two touchdowns in a 25-second span midway through the final period, claiming a 25-3 decision and the division title.

The Bruins, 9-1 overall heading into the Central Coast Section playoffs, won all six division games. Los Altos finished second at 5-1 and Fremont third at 4-2. The Firebirds, who could have forced a three-way tie for first by beating the Bruins, closed a spirited season at 5-5.

"We just stuck together and we listened to the coaches," said senior co-captain Mark Pariaszevski, who often opened holes from his center position on offense and closed them from middle linebacker on defense. "Everything this season was all about pride."

Fremont's pride was evident late in the first half, with Santa Clara leading 6-3 and looking for more on a fourth-and-goal inside the one-yard line. Jimmy Staats, Patrick Murphy, Jimmy Halteh and R.J. Rivera led a flock of Firebirds that stopped the Santa Clara ball carrier six inches short of the goal line.

The Firebirds were unable to stop the Bruins moments later, however. Bruin Justice Patterson returned a punt 40 yards for a touchdown and a 12-3 lead.

Patterson made another big play in the fourth quarter, running 62 yards to pay dirt on a counter trap between center and right guard. The play looked a lot like Nick Brodack's 78-yard, first-quarter touchdown run.

Following Patterson's fourth-quarter TD, Fremont gained possession at its 13, then threw an interception on first down. Santa Clara immediately scored on a 15-yard pass with 6:06 to play.

"They just made more big plays than we did," Fremont coach Andy Walczak told his team moments after the game. "I'm proud of the way our team battled."

Fremont got a big break to start the second half when Santa Clara fumbled and Halteh recovered at the Bruins' 14. But Santa Clara's defense rose up, allowing just one yard in three plays and forcing Fremont to settle for a 32-yard field goal attempt. Jason Custer, who had kicked a 26-yard field goal in the first quarter, missed wide left.

Santa Clara then took the ball at its 20 and went on a drive that ate up more than seven minutes. Although the Bruins reached Fremont's five, a holding penalty and the Firebirds' defense pushed them back to the 16. The drive ended when Su blocked a 32-yard field goal attempt with 3:20 left in the third period.

Fremont could not cash in on the momentum change, however. A 24-yard pass from Custer to Shelton Swoopes and a 10-yard scramble by Custer helped Fremont drive to Santa Clara's 31. After a penalty pushed the Firebirds back to the 40, the drive ended on a fourth-down incompletion.

The Firebirds' final opportunity of the season came courtesy of Julius Mills, a two-way player whose determination and grit typified his team's efforts throughout the season.

Mills' 40-yard kick return gave Fremont the ball at its 45 with 5:54 left in the game. Good runs by seniors Nathan Cathcart and Juan Arce quickly moved the ball to Santa Clara's 39, but the Firebirds lost a fumble on the next play.

Schneider gets third

Fremont's Kevin Schneider breezed through the Division II boys race at the CCS Division I cross country championships held Nov. 12.

Schneider finished the 2.95-mile race at Crystal Springs in Belmont in 15:46, good enough for third place in the division and 11th overall in CCS.

Schneider was the first of two finishers for Fremont. Elijah Carillo ran 16:49 for 28th in the division.

The King's Academy boys took home second in Division V, thanks to the efforts of Sean Robinson, fourth in 16:27; Matt Guisti, 11th in 17:43; Joe Sereda, 14th in 17:54; Anthony Laurel, 15th in 17:55; and Richie Jercha, 19th in 18:31.

Rishi Agrawal, 22nd in 16:30, headed up Homestead's unit for an 11th-place team finish in Division I. Agrawal was aided by teammates Nick Oliver, 42nd in 17:08, and Sammer Tharakan, 49th in 17:18.

The King's Academy girls took the first place prize in Division V thanks to Jessica Butelo, second in 19:51; Priya Pappu, third in 20:09; Monica Monari, seventh in 20:39; Kristen Butelo, 11th in 21:02; and Emily Henderson, 12th in 21:06.

Laura Pochowski led the Homestead effort. Pochowski, 20th in 20:01, helped the Mustangs to fifth in Division I. Rachel Moll was 23rd in 20:18 and Kristen Peanasky was 31st in 20:38.

Niki Kenny was the top runner for Fremont, finishing 32nd in 20:05.

Saratoga stops Fremont

One day after taking all but one match against Burlingame, Fremont lost 7-0 against No. 2 Saratoga in the quarterfinals of the CCS girls team tennis championships.

The Firebirds, who did not lose a match while winning the SCVAL El Camino Division championship, finished with an outstanding 18-3 record.

Homestead girls advance

Led by freshman Kathrine Fischer, Homestead defeated Independence in the first round of the CCS Division I volleyball playoffs.

The Mustangs raised their record to 25-12 by beating the 76ers 25-16, 21-25, 25-17, 25-21. They advance to a semifinal match against top seed San Benito of Hollister, which opened with a three-game win over Monta Vista.

Homestead and San Benito will tangle on Nov. 17 at Santa Clara High.

In Division V, No. 6 seed Pinewood surprised The King's Academy in a quarterfinal match at Valley Christian. Pinewood won three straight games, 25-16, 25-19, 25-23, from the No. 3 Knights. TKA finished with an overall record of 20-11.

Kevin Sparrer contributed to this story.