The Menlo football team stormed the field with a dizzying aerial attack, featuring nine touchdown passes, and a stifling defense in a 63-6 season-opening victory over visiting Sequoia on Saturday.
In just one half, Knights senior Sergio Beltran, who finished with 461 total yards, completed 15 of 21 passes for 351yards and an astounding seven touchdown passes, which puts him a tie for the second-most TDs in a half in state history, according to Mark Tennis of Cal-Hi Sports, which researches and compiles high school record books. The nine total touchdown passes - junior Jake Bianchi threw two more - matches a state record for third most.  

“All of us seniors know it’s our last year playing together, so we came in with a mentality that we were going to give it our all, every single play,” Beltran said. We just all had that as a common goal and worked for that.”I feel great about today. It was fun. It was good to get the nerves out with the first game and we hope to continue this throughout the season.”

Beltran threw touchdown passes to four receivers, including three to fellow senior Carter Jung and two to junior Robby Enright. Senior Ben Banatao, Enright and Jung all finished with more than 100 yards receiving, and sophomore Ty Richardson scored on throws from Beltran and Bianchi, who completed 8 of 10 passes for 122 yards .

The Knights defense was similarly effective, consistently in the Ravens’ backfield, and allowing only 140 total yards. Menlo’s Ross Muchnick made every PAT.

Coach Todd Smith said he would like the Knights to reduce the number of penalties, but called it an incredible performance and was pleased with nearly every aspect of the team’s performance. “We shut them down on both sides of the ball, and the kids executed.”

Saturday
Sequoia 0 6 0 0 – 6
Menlo School 28 21 0 14 – 63

First quarter

M - Robby Enright 45 pass from Sergio Beltran (Ross Muchnick kick)
M - Jack Giesler 14 pass from Beltran (Muchnick kick)
M - Carter Jung 50 pass from Beltran (Muchnick kick)
M – Enright 25 pass from Beltran (Muchnick kick)
Second quarter

M – Jung 70 pass from Beltran (Muchnick kick)Thomas Flynn ub
M – Jung 13 pass from Beltran (Muchnick kick)
S – Jamyson Howard 52 pass from Thomas Flynn (pass failed)
M – Ty Richardson 50 pass from Beltran (Muchnick kick)

Fourth quarter
M – Richardson 7 pass from Jake Bianchi (Muchnick kick)
M – Ben Banatao 29 pass from Bianchi (Muchnick kick)

VIDEO: Menlo vs. Sequoia 8.28.2021