Andrew Zhao
Vikings group together for a team photo after securing their second win against the Monta Vista Matadors on Wednesday night at home. According to Viking senior running back Kailia Leming, the Vikings' additional coach, Nancy Nguyen, has helped the team grow. "We added on coach Nancy," Leming said. "She is on the USA flag football team and I honestly think she's helped our team a lot."
In their seventh consecutive win of the season, the Palo Alto High School flag football team (7-0) defeated the Monta Vista Matadors (4-3), 13-7, in a defense-heavy match Wednesday night at home.
After finishing 0-10 last year, the Vikings remain undefeated this season.
According to Viking head coach Bradford Exantus, the Vikings have had a shift in intensity of their training.
“Since last year, we’ve been more aggressive,” Exantus said. “I demand just a little bit more perfection on their route running and their defense, and to learn how to focus and learn how to compete instead of just playing. That’s been a huge difference.”
Viking sophomore quarterback Eleanor Wells said she is happy about the team’s improvement this season.
“It feels so good compared to last year where we got zero wins,” Wells said. “Going seven and zero just feels ecstatic.”
The first quarter was a defensive stalemate, with both teams restricting passing opportunities and stopping running plays, resulting in no point scored.
In the second quarter, after a punt return at the half, the Vikings managed to get a touchdown with the one-point conversion for the early 7-0 lead. Both teams struggled to get consistent progress down the field for the rest of the quarter.
According to Exantus, the Matadors played well on defense.
“They [Matadors] had us a lot of times when we tried to run the ball,” Exantus said. “There’s one safety there that was really good. But I feel like they didn’t spread the ball as much as we did, so we capitalize on those moments.”
At the start of the third quarter, Viking senior running back Kailia Leming charged down the field on multiple plays, bringing the Vikings near the endzone. The Matadors blocked a pass on the fourth down. The Vikings managed to defend the Matadors with a sack and two blocks, forcing a punt which brought the Vikings to the half. Back on offense, the Vikings scored a touchdown with a deep pass from Viking sophomore quarterback Wells on the 3rd down, furthering their lead to 13-0.
According to Leming, communication has been a big focus for the Vikings.
“We communicated really well,” Leming said. “Every time somebody was on a play that they didn’t get passed to, our quarterback would relay that back, take the feedback and put that into our next play.”
The fourth quarter started with multiple turnovers from both teams in the middle of the field. The Vikings caught a deep interception at the 20-yard line. However, the Matadors fought back with an interception of their own, allowing Matador quarterback Rishika Kothari to score their first touchdown. The game ended 13-7 in the Vikings’ favor.
The Vikings play the Homestead High School Mustangs (4-5) 4:15 p.m. Monday at Homestead High School.