The football team has already begun practice—every day from 4:30 pm to 7 pm, the team members train vigorously in preparation for this season. After a hard season last year, the team is more than ready to practice harder than before and support each other in their collective and individual improvement.

“We feel snubbed as a team, we’re working on our run game right now a lot and just fine tuning those small things like learning the playbook and working together,” wide receiver and safety Tommy Butler (‘23) said.

Last season, the Vikes finished 5-5 in the regular season, placing 4th in league. They suffered a close first round playoff loss to Christopher in CCS. 

New head coach David DeGeronimo is eager to work with and develop the group. 

“I am getting to know the players and they are getting to know the way ‘we’ do things,” DeGeronimo said. 

He clearly emphasizes getting the most out of every practice, and making sure the team is well prepared.

“We are looking to get better every practice,” DeGeronimo said. “You’re either getting better or worse; Nothing really stays the same.”

After losing many key seniors from last year’s team, veteran two-way players Rocky Leitch (‘23) and Jack Newman (‘23) are looking to lead the way. While star offensive linemen Vainga Mahe (‘23) and Ikinasio Tupou (‘24) will continue to dominate up front. 

Junior starting quarterback Declan Packer spent his summer at football camps around the country. With his improved throwing mechanics and footwork, he feels confident he’s ready to make the leap from JV to Varsity.

“The biggest jump will definitely be the speed of play,” Packer said. “From Sophomore to Junior year everyone was working in the offseason, getting bigger and stronger.”

Packer is also excited for a scheme change from Coach DeGeronimo. 

“I like the new scheme that he brought to the program. We’re now running a west coast style offense and switching up the defense also,” Packer said. 

The team have had a promising group of new recruits this year and are looking forward to accomplishing their goals.

“I think we want to have a winning record and make it farther than the first round of playoffs since we lost first round and playoffs by one point last year,” Butler said. 

The Vikes schedule opens with tough private school opponent St. Ignatius, they also face rivals Los Gatos and Gunn. This will mark the first time PALY has played Gunn since 2012. 

The team is excited about what awaits them this upcoming season and is looking forward to the victories they will rejoice over and the losses they will improve from. The team will soon face Archbishop Mitty in a scrimmage, and are more than ready to start their season off strong.

“This year, we are trying to put up big numbers and get recruited. [Our practices are] pretty intense, pretty brutal, but we’re getting it done. We’re working both offense and defense and we’re moving quick and fast and efficiently,” Butler said.