The Vikings’ football team  (5-2, 3-1) clamped down on defense against the Saratoga Falcons for its third league win of the season.

Defensive end Tory Prati (’12) sacked Falcon quarterback Mitchell Casas (’12) for a three and out on the first drive of the game, forcing the Falcons to punt to the Paly 40. On the first play of the Viking drive, quarterback Keller Chryst (’14) found running back B.J. Boyd (’12) with a short pass which turned into a 57-yard touchdown for the team.

Saratoga once again found itself in a three and out after defensive plays from Paly tackle Chris Martinez (’12) and linebacker Austin Braff (’12). After a flubbed Falcon punt, the Vikings began their drive just 10 yards from the goal line which was found by running back Morris Gates-Mouton (’12) who punched the ball in on a 2-yard run.

“We usually have slow starts, but this game we really set the tone early, we were hitting
hard, the quarterback was a little rattled,” Defensive back Gabe Landa (’12) said.

Casas was finally able to find his receivers, connecting with Kyle Dozier (’13) for his teams first, first down of the game. However, the drive was stalled before the half 50 yard line and the Falcons were forced to punt once again. The ensuing drive which started at the Viking two yard line consisted of a single play, as Chryst found receiver Jayshawn Gates-Mouton (’13) deep, for a 98-yard touchdown pass.

With a 20-0 lead, Chryst found Boyd once again, this time for a 59-yard touchdown throw and a sizable, 27-0 advantage. Chryst, who  threw only nine passes, completed five of nine for four touchdowns and 250 yards on the night.

Saratoga would score its first points in the second quarter, after receiving good field possession from a fumble from Chryst to running back Dre Hill (’12). Hill ran 13 yards after the break, before smashing through for a 70-yard touchdown run and the last points for Paly. Back-up quarter back Andrew Frick (’14) was then inserted into the lineup and the Vikings cruised to their 41-9 win.

The Vikings will face a formidable opponent in Moutain View next week, on Oct. 29.

“Mountain view is very good – they got strong, they are a good football team,” head coach Earl Hansen said. “Big
quarterback, big tight end, – it’s going to be a battle.”