In Menlo School’s first football game under the lights at home, the Knights pulled ahead in the fourth quarter for a 23-17 homecoming win over Carlmont in PAL-Ocean play Friday.
It was the first night game played at Cartan Field, and for 14 seniors, it was the final scheduled home game. “For some of us, it was the last game on this field and in any sport, that’s really hard, tough to think about. But under the lights - our first game here under the lights for our program is incredible and feels so great to get a win,” Menlo senior guard and defensive tackle James Marren said.
The Knights (3-3 overall, 1-1 league ) broke a 14-14 tie when senior Samson Axe ran in from nine yards out for the score to start the fourth quarter. Justin Sellers opened the possession with a 19-yard pickup from fellow senior Kevin Alarcon to open the possession, and Axe gained 13 on a carry to set up the score.  
On the ensuing possession, the snap sailed over the Carlmont punter’s head and into the end zone for a safety. Menlo went ahead 23-14 with 8:26 left. The Scots made one last drive, moving downfield on a long run by Si’i Tengei and on a pass interference call, and got to the 5. The Knights defense wore them down and Carlmont converted a field goal.
“We had a good game plan coming in; we changed up our defense and felt pretty good about it,” Marren said. “At first it just seemed like they were moving prety easily but then we recovered, figured it out, and we got the win.”
The Scots scored on Dané Fifita’s 1-yard run to take a 14-7 lead at the start of the third. Menlo countered immediately and efficiently on a three-play drive. Junior receiver Chris d’Alencon pulled in a 46-yard pass from Alarcon. Axe picked up 10 yards on a carry to take the ball to the 20, and Alarcon found Richardson to tie the score at 14 with 8:189 to go in the third.
The Scots’ drove downfield and after a big gain to get the ball to the 18. Junior Justin Creamer and senior Miles Hester made big tackles and junior Sam Chung batted down a pass.
“We had some times when they marched down the field and it was 4th-amd-short in the red zone and we stopped them; it was huge,” Marren said. “That’s what turned the game around.”

After the safety, Menlo got a big kickoff return, and got to the Scots’ 48, but elected to punt. On Carlmont’s next possession, Creamer made an interception on the first play to secure the victory.
The Knights tied the score at 7 on a nine-play, 50-yard drive that ended with Alarcon running in from the 1. Senior Ryan McKee gained 35 yards on 7 carries in that drive alone, and Alarcon completed a 16-yard pass to Richardson to take the Knights to the 12.
Carlmont got on the board first when Sean McKenna ran in a 13-yard touchdown at the end of the first period.  
 
Menlo School   0   7   7   9 - 23
Carlmont         7   0   7   3 - 14

First quarter
C: Sean McKenna 13 run (Gino Bonetti kick) :14

Second quarter
M: Kevin Alarcon 1 run (Santi Garcia-Mendez kick) 2:26

Third quarter
C: Dané Fifita 1 run (Bonetti kick) 9:46
M: Jaden Richardson 20 from Alarcon (Garcia-Mendez kick) 8:19

Fourth quarter
M: Samson Axe 9 run (Garcia-Mendez kick) 10:23
M: Carlmont safety, long snap on punt  
258 - Menlo senior Samson Axe finds an open field in the first half against Carlmont4822 - For the first time in school history, Menlo played under the lights at Cartan Field in a 23-17 win over Carlmont