The one thing that can be said about the Palo Alto football team is that head coach Earl Hansen most often finds a way to get his players to bounce back from losses. In the past decade, the Vikings haven't had too many losing streaks.

Palo Alto made sure it didn't start one on Friday night by blasting visiting Gilroy, 61-7, in a nonleague game. The Vikings (2-1) worked hard following last week's 35-13 setback to Mitty and the work paid off against the Mustangs, who throttled Paly last season in Gilroy.

Not only did the Vikings put up a lot of points, but their defense limited Gilroy to just 110 total yards, including a minus 29 yards on the ground. Paly picked off two passes and got two sacks from defensive tackle A.J. Castillo, who sparked a defensive line effort that made life miserable for Gilroy QB Nick Marra, who was held to a minus-34 yards rushing.

Palo Alto junior quarterback Christoph Bono, meanwhile, threw four touchdown passes while completing 11 of 19 passes for 225 yards. Senior wideout Joc Pederson caught two TD passes that covered 15 and 35 yards, both in the first quarter when Paly grabbed a 20-0 lead. Pederson finished with four catches for 107 yards, his second straight game with more than 100 receiving yards.

Palo Alto linebacker Jared Beeson got in on the first-half scoring act when a bad punt snap went over the head of Gilroy's punter for a 21-yard loss into the end zone. Beeson alertly fell on the loose ball for a Paly TD.

Bono had three TD passes in the opening half while sparking the Vikings to a 34-7 lead. Davante Adams caught a 10-yarder in the first half with Charles Jones catching Bono's fourth TD pass, a nine-yarder in the third quarter.

The Vikings' running game ate up the yards and plenty of time in the second half, with Miles Anderson leading the way with 66 yards on six carries. Terry Beasley added 43 yards on the ground as Paly's offensive line did a good job of controlling the game. Peter Ibarra scored two touchdowns on short runs in the second half to help Paly rush for 224 yards.

Palo Alto opens SCVAL De Anza Division play next Friday against visiting Saratoga at 7:30 p.m.

In games Saturday:

Gunn (1-1) visits Hillsdale in a nonleague test at 1:30 p.m.; Menlo-Atherton (0-3) plays host to Leigh at 2 p.m.; Sacred Heart Prep (2-1) is host to Silver Creek at 2 p.m. and Pinewood hits the eight-man football road for a game at Ojai Valley School near Santa Barbara.

Nonleague
Gilroy 0 7 0 0 — 7
Palo Alto 20 14 21 6 — 61
PA — Pederson 15 pass from Bono (Bono kick)
PA — Beeson recovers fumbled snap in end zone (kick failed)
PA — Pederson 35 pass from Bono (Bono kick)
PA — Adams 10 pass from Bono (Bono kick)
G — Holler 85 kickoff return (Vega kick)
PA — Beasley 11 run (Bono kick)
PA — Jones 9 pass from Bono (Bono kick)
PA — Ibarra 2 run (Bono kick)
PA — Ibarra 3 run (Bono kick)
PA — Williams 1 run (kick failed)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: Gilroy, Sweeney 5-17, unknown 3-6, Holler 2-3, bad snap 1-(minus 21), Marra 9-(minus 34). Palo Alto, Anderson 6-66, Beasley 7-43, Ibarra 7-32, Williams 9-30, Pitre 3-28, Glazier 3-16, Bono 2-6, Braff 1-3. Totals: Gilroy 20-(minus 29); Palo Alto 38-224.
PASSING: Gilroy, Marra 13-30-2-139. Palo Alto, Bono 11-19-1-225, Braff 1-1-0-8. Totals: Gilory 13-30-2-139; Palo Alto 12-20-1-233.
RECEIVING: Gilroy, Sandoval 3-36, Holler 3-25, Dominick 2-20, Silvas 2-15, unknown 1-22, Sweeney 1-14, Mitchell 1-7. Palo Alto, Pederson 4-107, Adams 3-75, Jones 3-34, Cullen 2-17. Totals: Gilroy 13-139; Palo Alto 12-233.
Records: Palo Alto 2-1

-- PA Weekly Online Sports