Thirty-eight Paly varsity football players in mud-stained white jerseys have prepared all week long for their most important football game of the season.
After being seeded sixth in the Medium Division Playoff bracket, the Vikings will play in the Central Coast Section (CCS) Championships against Los Gatos at 7 p.m. on Saturday at San Jose City College.
Paly is favored to win against Los Gatos. Two weeks ago, the Vikings narrowly defeated Los Gatos, 17-14. Head coach Earl Hansen takes nothing for granted, predicting that Saturday won’t be an easy win.
This championship will be a rough game emotionally. Los Gatos defensive lineman Mike Halpin died Tuesday of a previously undetected heart defect. Halpin’s his teammates will miss his dedication and friendship, and the team will enter Saturday’s game under trying circumstances.
“I hope we are all emotionally strong enough to accomplish this [playing in the championship game],” said Butch Cattolico, Los Gatos’ head football coach, on the team Web site.
Paly players believe Halpin will best be honored by a well-played game by both sides.
“[Coach] Hansen said we have to play the same way we usually would,” said sophomore varsity football player Kevin Anderson.
His teammate, sophomore Alistair Thompson, agrees.
“We still need to compete on the field,” Thompson said.
With star player senior running-back Sam Tompkins-Jenkins leading the Vikings’ team, Coach Hansen hopes to win the CCS Championship for the third consecutive year.
“It will be a tough game, but winning is achievable,” Hansen said.