The Palo Alto Vikings’ football team was able to defeat rival Los Gatos Friday night’s homecoming game by a score of 35-10.

“It was a great team win on senior night that was very needed especially because it was against Los Gatos. We had not beat Los Gatos the last six years and it felt great to flip the switch” Andres Jimenez (‘19) said.

The Vikings jumped out in front of the Wildcats early, as Jamir Shepherd took a 90-yard-pass from Jackson Chryst to the house on the first play from scrimmage. Following a Los Gatos field goal off of a Viking fumble, Chryst found Shepherd again for a 70 yard score to extend the Vikings lead.

After the Wildcats scored before halftime to trim the Vikings lead to 14-10, Palo Alto came out and stifled Los Gatos in the second half to definitively pull away. Wes Walters (‘19) recovered a fumble on Los Gatos’ first possession of the half, and after Chryst found Shepherd once again for a 27 yard touchdown, the rout was on.

Chryst would find Louis Passarello (‘20) and Walker Rosenthal (‘19) for touchdowns later in the third quarter to cap off an exceptional Senior Night with five touchdowns.

Chris Martinez and Seattle Hmelar (‘19) also recorded sacks in a strong defensive effort that saw the Vikings shut out Los Gatos in the second half.

The Vikings improved to 8-1 on the season with the victory, and will travel to face Homestead in their final league game of the year next Friday.