Last year’s Division I State Champions, the Palo Alto Viking football team, started its 2011-2012 season with a bang, defeating the San Benito Haybalers 28-18.

Running back B.J. Boyd (‘12) received the opening kickoff at the 10 yard line and proceeded to run the length of the field for a touchdown, 10 seconds into the game. The Viking defense came onto the field briefly before forcing a three- and-out.

Taking to the field for the first time, quarterback Keller Chryst (‘14) had only to snap before Boyd took the ball, broke several tackles, and ran for a 62-yard touchdown. On the ensuing kickoff, the recovering Haybalers fumbled the football, giving the Vikings another shot at the goal line.

Penalties proved to be a factor in the game as the Paly offense struggled to convert on the excellent  field position. On fourth down, Chryst attempted to scramble to the first down, but was stopped two yards short. Chryst threw 29 passes, completing 12 for a total of 106 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

“At the start we played hard, towards the end [of the game] we had some trouble with effort, but we just got to finish.” Chryst said.

Despite a penalty and a 36-yard gain by San Benito, the Viking defense once again held, bringing out Chryst  and his offense. Short, quick passes and runs, allowed Paly to grab good yardage. However, a penalty stalled the drive as a 23-yard touchdown run by running back Dre Hill (‘12) was called back. Two incomplete passes and a one yard gain brought out the punt team and allowed the defense back on the field.

Defensive back Matt Tolbert (‘13) forced a fumble for the Vikings but left the game with an injury. Successful runs from Hill, Chryst and Boyd, brought the team within 20 yards of the goal line. Chryst then found receiver Jayshawn Gates-Mouton (’13), who broke two tackles and found the end zone, giving the Vikings a sizable 21-0 lead.

On the next Viking drive, Chryst managed to stay upright with a defender wrapped around his legs long enough to find Boyd who ran up the middle for 27 yards. Hill once again pulled the Vikings into scoring position by gaining a few yards. Chryst connected with Jayshawn Gates-Mouton in the bottom-left corner of the end-zone to secure a commanding 28-0 lead.

Once again, a penalty hurt the Vikings, as 90 yard kickoff return by Boyd was called back. Boyd contributed a total of 214 yards to the night, including two touchdowns. The Vikings would not score again, struggling both on offense and defense, as the Haybalers scored 18 unanswered points.

“From a defensive side, we have to do a better job containing the quarterback,” Paly Defensive Coordinator Jake Halas said. “That was the best quarterback I’ve seen in four or five years.”

The Vikings will play their next game at Foothill College on Sept. 16 against the Archbishop Mitty Monarchs in a rematch of last year’s first round Central Coast Section (CCS) tournament.

“We haven’t really studied them yet but we have two weeks to prepare. We know Mitty is a great team,” Paly Lineman Tory Prati (’12) said. “Last year we really battled them right here in the Open Division Playoff so [playing them] will be a good test for us.”