It’s becoming a common theme for the Palo Alto Viking football team: A rusty, uncharacteristic first half followed by a blistering and unforgiving assault in the second half.

Friday’s homecoming win over the Santa Clara Bruins (2-5, 0-3 league) was the fourth consecutive game in which the Vikings entered halftime within seven points of their opponent and also the fourth consecutive time the Vikings exploded in the second half to win by a comfortable margin.

Last week, the Vikings (6-1, 4-0) turned a fourth quarter deficit into a 16-point victory in less than five minutes. Big plays on defense and special teams bailed the Vikings’ lethargic offense out, preventing a devastating upset loss.

In Paly’s last four games, the Vikings have outscored the opposition 99-7 in the second half.

"They [The Vikings] are resilient," head coach Earl Hansen said. "But we’ve been making mistakes in the first half."

Hansen hoped his team could put the Bruins away earlier than later, but that was not the case Friday.