Photo

Palo Alto will have the opportunity to maintain its position as one of the winningest football programs in California history when the Vikings open their 2012 season on Friday at San Benito. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

Palo Alto begins the season with 617 victories from 1897-2011. That includes a record of 87-46 in rugby from 1907-1919, which was played as an alternative for 11-man football during those years.

According to the Cal-Hi Sports state football record book, Paly will begin its season ranked No. 6 all-time for most victories.

Bakersfield, which is 2-0 this season, is No. 1 with 729 and Long Beach Poly (1-0 this season) is second with 710. Berkeley (0-1) ranks No. 3 with 639 while Santa Monica (1-0) and Loyola-Los Angeles (2-0) are tied for fourth with 620. Palo Alto is next, six wins ahead of Dos Palos (611). Those are the only teams in state history with 600 or more victories.

Paly has made a big move over the past nine years, going 91-23-2. That included a 14-0 record and CIF Division I state championship in 2010 for veteran coach Earl Hansen, who begins his 24th season at Paly with a 175-86-3 record.

The Vikings were 10-3 a year ago but lost a ton of offensive talent in B.J. Boyd (25 touchdowns), Dre Hill, Austin Braff, Morris Gates-Mouton plus lineman Tory Prati that helped produce 36.5 points a game.

The only returning starter from the offensive backfield is junior quarterback Keller Chryst (2.165 yards, 28 TDs, 11 interceptions). His top returning target is senior wideout Jayshawn Gates-Mouton (34 catches, 518 yards, five TDs). Junior Keesean Johnson and senior De'Antay Williams will provide additional targets while seniors Justin Gates-Mouton, Matt Tolbert, Erik Anderson and junior Malcolm Davis take over the chores at running back.

Seniors Spencer Drazovich and Drew Rider bring experience to the line and will be joined by junior Jack Anderson, senior Camden Santo, junior Justin Rittman and sophomore Nick Beeson.

Defense is the big question mark for the Vikings, who limited opponents to 18.8 points a game last season. A lack of experience at the skill positions also will be called into question, especially over the first two weeks that includes a home opener against Mitty on Sept. 14.

While Palo Alto heads to Hollister on Friday, Gunn (1-0) will be at home against Carlmont (1-0) at 7:30 p.m. Sacred Heart Prep (1-0) will visit Mountain View (0-0) at 3:15 p.m., Pinewood (0-0) will host Anderson Valley (0-1) at 4 p.m., and Menlo-Atherton (1-0) will visit Los Gatos (0-1) at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Priory will open its eight-man season by hosting Rincon Valley Christian at 1 p.m., and Menlo School (1-0) will take on Mission (0-0) at San Francisco's Kezar Stadium at 2 p.m.

— Palo Alto Online Sports

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.