Tarika Pillay

The Palo Alto Vikings line up against the Mountain View Spartans during a key first down on Friday night at home. Viking head coach David DeGeronimo said the Vikings need to work on their defense. “We [Palo Alto] are learning a new defense, and we’ve got to learn it in a hurry,” DeGeronimo said. “The season’s started, so we’ve got to get guys experience in this and understanding the defense and their roles. Once we get those ironed out, I think we’ll be pretty good.”

In the first game of the season, the Palo Alto High School Vikings (0-1) lost to the Mountain View High School Spartans (1-0), 44-46, in a nail-biting, offense-heavy match Friday night at home.

Viking head coach David DeGeronimo said the Vikings need to work on their defense.

“We [Palo Alto] are learning a new defense, and we’ve got to learn it in a hurry,” DeGeronimo said. “The season’s started, so we’ve got to get guys experience in this and understanding the defense and their roles. Once we get those ironed out, I think we’ll be pretty good.”

Spartan head coach Rick Esparza said the win came from months of hard work.

“Quite honestly, it’s been something we [Mountain View] have been working at since January, on the field, in the weight room, committing to one another, developing a brotherhood,” Esparza said. “This group has done a great job leading each other throughout the entire year.”

The Vikings had a strong start to the game as Viking junior cornerback Clement Romanski scored a 75-yard running touchdown on the third play. After a solid performance on the defensive side for the Vikings, Viking senior wide receiver Kacey Washington gained 39 yards with a deep pass from Viking junior quarterback Justin Fung. Romanski finished off the possession with a two-yard run for yet another touchdown. The first quarter ended 12-0 in the Vikings’ favor. 

The Spartans controlled the second quarter, making consistent progress down the field with running plays from the Spartans, leading to three touchdowns. However, Viking junior wide receiver Mack Reller scored a 30-yard touchdown with a deep pass from Fung. With the crowd chanting “Kacey,” Washington also scored a 42-yard touchdown with a catch from Fung, ending the quarter 26-21 for the Vikings. 

According to Fung, the Vikings’ offense was solid, but there is still room for improvement.

“We did pretty well on offense, I think we just needed to keep executing,” Fung said. “On my end, I need to finish those drives and that’s where I have to improve.”

The second half started out rough for the Vikings, who let Spartan junior Dominik Kristof slip through to the end zone in a 68-yard touchdown. The Vikings struggled to respond, forcing Viking junior running back Shanley Davey to score a 34-yard field goal. After a few consistent runs from the Spartans, Spartan junior Ishan Devarapalli made a one-yard dash for a touchdown. Romanski ended the quarter with a 29-yard touchdown catch, giving the Vikings a 36-35 lead. 

Kristof scored another running touchdown at the start of the third quarter, followed by dominant defensive play from both teams. Viking junior running back Nathan Rodriguez and Reller made incremental advances down the field, allowing Fung to run eight yards for a touchdown, putting the score at 42-43. The Vikings’ decision to attempt the two point conversion paid off, with Washington charged to the end zone. However, the Spartans answered with a crucial pass that put Spartan senior Stephen Messner within range to seal the game with a 34-yard field goal. The final score was 44-46. 

DeGeronimo said Washington played well since he delivered in key plays.

“He [Washington] had a huge touchdown,” DeGeronimo said. “He had that two-point conversion for what we thought was going to be the win and he could have sealed the deal with the interception. It was just that close.”

According to Esparza, Messner’s clutch kick was a moment the team will cherish.

“Steven Messner, our senior kicker, came up with a great play we’re going to look back on when the season’s over,” Esparza said. “He just nailed that field goal at the end there to help steal the victory for us.”

Fung said a lot of Vikings graduated last year, but the juniors have filled the gap.

“We had a lot of seniors graduate last year which was a big loss in our team, but I think all the younger guys, the juniors, are really stepping up,” Fung said.

According to DeGeronimo, he is looking forward to playing against the Burlingame High School Panthers.

“Burlingame runs a very similar offense and we play them here on Thursday night,” DeGeronimo said. “We can’t wait to just get back out there and get back in the winning column.”

The Vikings are set to play the Panthers at 7 p.m. on Thursday at home.