The Palo Alto Vikings varsity football team lost its homecoming game, 35-21, against the Wilcox Chargers, last Friday afternoon.

Wilcox began the game with a long scoring drive that started on its 37 and that lasted over two minutes. Charger senior quarter back Thomas Russell threw to senior running back Jeremy Hammond for a 39 yard score to the right side of the field, making the score 7-0, Wilcox, after an extra point.

The Wilcox defense stopped the Vikings’ first offensive drive, forcing the Vikes to punt.

Wilcox scored on its second drive thereafter. The Chargers got a first down on a fourth down with an 8 yard scramble by Russell. The drive ended with a one yard run by senior halfback Anthony Reyes, making the score 14-0, Wilcox, with the extra point.

Reyes had a very impressive game with 153 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries.

Russell also had an impressive game, as he rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and completed all three of his passes for 78 yards.

Paly finally got on the board with a scoring drive that started on its 28 yard line and that lasted through the end of the first quarter and into the second. The drive was capped off by a one yard run up the middle by junior quarterback Nathan Ford, making the score 14-7, after an extra point kick by senior Adam Dexter.

Other than taking advantage of several forced turnovers, Paly’s defense struggled for the entire game, especially in the second quarter against Wilcox’s main offensive strategy, the running option.

After their first score, the Vikes started to gain momentum. Senior defensive corner Joseph Ashufta forced a fumble on the Wilcox 21 yard line. After the fumble, Paly had a scoring drive that lasted less than a minute and that was capped off with a one yard run and score by Ford, tying the game at 14-14.

Soon after, the Paly defense forced another fumble and the Vikes started their final scoring drive. The drive lasted almost five minutes and started on the Chargers’ 41 yard line.

The Vikes’ third and final scoring drive ended with an 8 yard touch down run by senior running back Tydus Kiger to the right side of the field, making the score 21-14 at the half.

Kiger suffered a concussion with just over two minutes left in the second quarter, but head coach Earl Hansen decided to keep the senior work horse running back in.

Despite their success in the second quarter, the Vikings failed to keep up their momentum in the second half. The Chargers began a scoring drive that started on their 15 and ended with a one yard run by Reyes, making the score 21-21.

Wilcox had another scoring drive in the third quarter that ended with an 8 yard scramble by Russell, making the score 28-21, Wilcox.

Hansen’s decision to keep Kiger in despite his concussion proved costly as Kiger forgot to put the football in the proper three point stance, and fumbled the ball late in the fourth quarter.

Despite attempts, the Vikes could not muster up a response to the Chargers, as Reyes put the game away with a 44-yard touchdown run with 4:05 left.

"There were some terrible calls but we could have played better, especially in the second," Ashufta said regarding the disheartening loss. "There is no way I should have had to make so many tackles; I felt like I made more tackles in that game than in the rest of the season."

With the loss, the Vikes’ record is 6-2. The season has been one of streaks so far, as Paly had six consecutive wins to start the season but has had two losses in their last two games. The Vikes next take on their cross town rival, the Gunn Titans, this Friday at Gunn. Start time is scheduled for 2:45 pm.