The Palo Alto High School Viking varsity football team (0-3) faces elimination from the upcoming California Central Coast Section tonight against the Mountain View Spartans.

After a 3-game losing streak, the Vikings must beat the Spartans (1-2) and the Milpitas Trojans (1-3) or else they will not qualify for the playoffs.

The Vikings are currently the only team of six in the De Anza League without any wins and are in last place in the league. 

The Vikings have faced multiple setbacks during the season. In the homecoming match and first league game against Homestead (2-2), Viking quarterback Declan Packer suffered an injury after the first few plays of the game, forcing the Vikings to rely on their running backs for the rest of the match. Ultimately, the Homestead Mustangs beat the Vikings 14-10. 

The Viking’s second league game was a home game against Los Gatos Wildcats (3-0) on Oct. 6, who are currently first in the league. The Wildcats scored five touchdowns in the first half, leaving the score 35-0. The Vikings scored three touchdowns in the second half, but it was not enough for them, losing the game 42-20. 

During the Viking’s third and most recent game on Oct. 14, they played against Wilcox (3-0), who dominated the Vikings in the first half with 5 consecutive touchdowns. The Vikings mustered a futile comeback attempt in the second half, scoring two touchdowns during the second half. The Vikings were ultimately defeated 38-13.

Although they are down in games, the Vikings are not down in spirits. Senior linebacker Lincoln Tutor still has hope for the team.

“I feel the team is very motivated,” Tutor said. “Especially for all the seniors, we know the weight of this [Mountain View] game.”

The Vikings will face the Mountain View Spartans at 7 p.m. today at Mountain View.