9.11.2021 – After another aerial and defensive showcase, the Menlo School football team picked up another lopsided victory, 56-6 over Mission-San Francisco at home Saturday.
The Knights improve to 3-0, and will face Terra Nova of the Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division, before their Ocean Division opener. Since its first game - a 57-point win - Menlo has outscored its opponents 168-54.
Saturday was a similar story as the Knights jumped out of the gates, marching 64 yards in eight plays capped by a 40-yard touchdown pass from senior Sergio Beltran to junior Robby Enright. It was the first of five passing touchdowns Saturday, again in just over two quarters for Beltran.
Beltran now has 17 TD passes in three games, and now can add a rushing touchdown - his first of the young season. He completed 15 of 17 passes for 278 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Beltran also rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown in six carries.
Beltran went to fellow senior Carter Jung for three of those touchdowns, including two in the first quarter for a 21-0 advantage entering the second period. The Knights started off that quarter with a Jung pick-six.
The Knights were pleased with the quick start, but always looking to improve.
“We feel pretty good,” said Jung, who had four receptions for 102 yards and three TD catches. “Though we have some injuries, we totally have guys who can step up and play. I think we have to work on our physicality.
“Definitely we need to be a lot more focused and intentional. There were a lot of sloppy penalties and a lot of basic stuff, no holding, getting on your blocks, knowing your assignment. Definitely need to be more composed as a team and playing as a unit.
How best to do that? “Getting on it in practice so when it comes to game time, it’s second nature.”
The Knights ’ defense again proved stifling, forcing fumbles, breaking up passes and holding the line. Mission was held to five first downs in the first half.
Ross Muchnick recorded eight more PATs and is 24 of 24 for the season while continuing his excellent placement of kickoffs, including a touchback on a kick that started from the 25 after the Knights were hit with a penalty.
The offensive line, including Noah Kornfield, Aidan Housenbold, Avery Romain, Max Kinder and Aidan Zhou, also allowed Beltran to tear through for an 1-yard TD run for a 36-0 lead nearly midway through the second.
Junior Jake Bianchi wrapped up the Knights’ scoring with a rushing touchdown.

Menlo School 21 21 6 6 - 56
Mission-S.F. 0 0 0 6 - 6

First quarter
Menlo: Robby Enright 40 pass from Sergio Beltran (Ross Muchnick kick) 10:04
Menlo: Carter Jung 27 pass from Beltran (Muchnick kick), 6:42
Menlo: Jung 21 pass from Beltran (Muchnick kick) 0:00

Second quarter
Menlo: Jung INT return (Muchnick kick) 10:31
Menlo: Beltran 11 run (Muchnick kick) 7:06
Menlo: Jung 32 from Beltran (Muchnick kick), 1:38

Third quarter
Menlo: Cort Halsey 30 pass from Beltran (Muchnick kick), 8:12

Fourth quarter
Menlo: Jake Bianchi 3 run (Muchnick kick), 11:21
Mission: Marcus Webb 10 pass from Kenneth Sanford  (kick blocked)

Passing – Menlo: Beltran 15-17-278-0. Bianchi 1-1-35-0. Rushing – Menlo: Beltran 6-73, Bianchi 2 (-1). Receiving – Menlo: Jung 4-102, Jack Giesler 3-55, Enright 2-54, Halsey 3-38, Chris Liao 1-35, Ben Banatao 2-22, Ty Richardson 1-7.