Schools
Palo Alto High Football Looking to Replicate Magic of 2010
Vikings looking to replicate graduated talent and senior leadership.
In sports, winning championships is the universal objective. Win one and you will be respected, win two and you will be considered elite, and to win more makes you a dynasty. To become state champions again, however, is in a category of it’s own, and the Palo Alto High School football team looks to make lightning strike twice in 2011.
“We have the same expectations as we had last year,” head coach Earl Hansen said. “We want to get better every week. The talent is there, now we got to make it a team.”
Last season, Palo Alto won its third Central Coast Section championship since 2006, before going onto to defeat Centennial-Corona in the Division I State Championship game 15-13, preserving a perfect 14-0 record. The Vikings will enter this fall ranked 20th in the state and second in CCS behind Valley Christian High School, whom Palo Alto defeated in the CCS Open Division championship to earn a trip to state, according to Maxpreps.com. Hungry for another parade-worthy season, the Vikings must rely on some new talent and the experience of returning state champions.
Palo Alto will have to replace eight starters from last year’s squad, including their four leading tacklers, top two pass rushers, top two receivers, and MVP quarterback. How can talent like that be replaced?
“It’s hard to replace Division I talent, period,” defensive coordinator Jake Halas said.
Palo Alto’s strengths lay in their lineman and incredible depth in the backfield. Five lineman return with senior defensive end Tory Prati and defensive tackles Sam Moses and Nathan Hubbard anchoring the Viking’s defensive front, while senior running backs Dre Hill and B.J. Boyd look for another stellar season after combining for 1,719 yards and 18 touchdowns on 239 carries.
“Considering our senior offensive line, our new quarterback, and our running backs, I think this year we’ll be more of a running team than a passing team,” Moses said. “It’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just different.”
Despite the loss of key athletes, the Vikings have some new faces that have a big impact on the gridiron. Senior Austin Braff, a shortstop for the Palo Alto baseball team last spring, will take over one of the vacant outside linebacker spots, while also lining up at tight end. Junior strong safety and running back Matt Tolbert arrives from Detroit and Keller Chryst, a tall, athletic sophomore quarterback from North Carolina will take over the reins of the Viking offense.
“We want to forget last year and start on our new goals,” senior cornerback Gabe Landa said.
“We’re filling in the holes where we need to and Keller is coming in, learning the plays well, and getting chemistry with the team.”
With question marks at receiver and through the secondary, some rising, youthful talent will have to step in and leave a mark. Palo Alto will begin its quest for a repeat against the San Benito Haybalers on Sept. 2 at home at 7:30 p.m.
