The Palo Alto High School football team just finished its season with a record of 3-7 and will not be making the playoffs. Since October, the Vikings have played five games and have won two of them.
On Oct. 17, the Vikings travelled to Monta Vista High School, where they were led by junior quarterback Justin Hull, who threw for 169 yards and one touchdown in the Vikings rout. Paly was victorious by a score of 41-35.
After that, the Vikings travelled to Los Gatos High School on Oct. 24, where they faced a dominant Wildcats team. The Vikings fell 7-49, and Justin Hull threw the Vikings’ only touchdown.
The team was able to be successful one last time this season against Santa Clara at home in Palo Alto’s homecoming game. The Vikings dominated the game 55-26, with Justin Hull throwing for 169 yards and two touchdowns.
The Vikings then had two rough games, starting off with a strong Milpitas team in Palo Alto on Nov. 7, who triumphed over the Vikings by a score of 47-7.
The Vikings were still able to make the playoffs if they beat Saratoga High School on the road on Nov. 14. The Vikings had a 1-4 league record before the game but fell to 2-4 on the season afterwards. The Vikings lost a close one, 33-41.
“The Saratoga game was a really rough loss and we really didn’t play to our potential that game at all,” junior linebacker Shaun Pike said.
While the Vikings had a disappointing season, they benefitted from experience and will now have several two year varsity veterans on the team. The Vikings have high hopes for next season.
“Obviously this year was a rough one, we had talent but we just couldn’t get it all put together,” Pike said. “I’m looking forward to coming back out next year and showing everyone that we have what it takes and Paly football is far from weak.”