After losing 28-27 to Archbishop Mitty High School (2-0-0) in last year’s home opener, the Palo Alto High School varsity football team (1-0-0) is looking for vengeance as it takes on the Monarchs again this Saturday.

The fierce rivalry with Mitty has gone on for years. In 2010, on the road to a Division 1 California State Championship, the Vikings miraculously beat the Monarchs in a last-second catch and run by then-senior wide receiver Davante Adams.

Last year’s game was no less spectacular. Down by one touchdown with the clock running out, now-senior quarterback Keller Chryst completed a 64-yard touchdown pass to now senior wide receiver Malcolm Davis, to bring the score within one point. As fans erupted from the sidelines, the extra point opportunity was botched, and the disappointed Vikings watched the clock run out, resulting in a 28-27 loss.

“We only lost by one point, but we made a ton of pointless errors that we could have avoided,” Chryst said.  “We dropped passes, and I threw some pretty bad balls.”

This year, the Vikings hope for a different result.

“We’re hoping to win by a good margin,” senior running back Marcus Brown said.  “It’s gonna be a tough game, and it’s gonna be high scoring.”

The Vikings have tweaked their approach this year, according to Chryst, after watching film to see their mistakes.

“We have a new defensive scheme this year,” Chryst said.  “We’re all looking forward to this year’s game.”

Despite successful seasons the last two years, Chryst is yet to defeat Mitty.

“I just want to beat Mitty,” Chryst said.  “Straight up.  I haven’t beat them in the two years I’ve been here.  We just really want to win this game.”

The game will kickoff at 7 p.m. Saturday night at Foothill College.