In a game where two physical and powerful titans clashed, the outcome was determined by the often forgotten and teased members of the team, the kickers.

A late fourth quarter 40-yard field goal from junior Tyger Pederson gave the Vikings a two-point lead. With only 30 seconds left, senior Ramon Padilla had a chance to win it for the Dons, but his 41-yard attempt was short and right, sealing the Vikings’ thrilling 23-21 comeback win.

"Coach asked me if I could make it," Pederson said of his game-winning kick. "I told him I would drill it."

Thanks to a 9-1 regular season, the Palo Alto varsity football team earned a spot in the Open Division in the Central Coast Section playoffs for the first time

The Dons came in 8-2, winners of five straight, and the Peninsula Bay League champions. The sixth-seeded Dons earned a bid to the Open Division for the third straight year. The Dons’ two losses came to Los Gatos and Burlingame, both of whom lost to the third-seeded Vikings this year.

The Vikings average 10 more points a game than the Dons, though much of the Vikings’ offensive surge this year is due to a punishing defense that not only gives the offense great field position, but also keeps the Viking offense on the field.

In the last three games, the Vikings have outscored their opponents by nearly 40 points per game, but Paly has not faced any serious competition since Mountain View over a month ago.

The Dons have an enormous offensive line with two players listed at 300 pounds and four more listed over 260 pounds. The Dons use their overpowering line and a set of three running backs to pound opponents into submission.