The MVHS football team edged out Carlmont High School 35–28 in a nail-biting homecoming game on Friday, Oct. 3. The night, which was the team’s first league game of the season, featured standout performances from the Spartan offense and a spirited halftime celebration, where seniors Sadie Bankhead and Karen Chien were crowned homecoming royalty.
“That was not an easy game at all,” junior center Jackson Blake said. “But I’m glad we were able to come away with the win.”
MVHS struck early when junior running back Dominik Kristof broke through the Scots’ defense for his first touchdown of the game. After a defensive stop, junior linebacker Ethan Vo intercepted a Carlmont pass, setting up Kristof for his second score and a 14–0 Spartan lead.
“Credit to the [offensive line],” Kristof said. “They did their job.”
Carlmont responded in the second quarter, capitalizing on MVHS’s stalled offense to even the score at 14–14 heading into halftime.
During the break, the Spartan cheer team and Dance Spectrum took the field to perform, followed by the introduction of the homecoming court. Last year’s royalty, twins Max and Sierra Kelly, returned to crown Bankhead and Chien.
The Scots briefly took control in the third quarter, scoring to go up 21–14. But the Spartans answered quickly — senior running back Sam Ford rushed in a touchdown to tie the game, and the MVHS defense forced a crucial punt. Kristof continued his dominant night, adding two more touchdowns, including one following an interception by junior Micah Perkins, bringing his total to four.
Carlmont added one final touchdown in the closing minute, but MVHS successfully ran out the clock to secure the Spartans’ second win of the season.
“We needed this game,” junior quarterback Ishan Devarapalli said. “To win our first league game means a lot for our playoff chances.”
MVHS now sits 2-3 on the season, but 1-0 in league play. The Spartans play San Mateo next Thursday, looking to win two in a row for the first time since 2023.
“Let’s keep the ball rolling,” Blake said.
