10.2.2021 – The Menlo Knights football team - again behind a prolific aerial charge - won its Peninsula Athletic League-Ocean Division opener 48-7 against visiting Jefferson on Saturday.
The Knights (5-0) rolled to a 41-0 halftime lead, scoring on its first possession with a five-play, 50-yard drive capped by Menlo senior quarterback Sergio Beltran finding junior Robby Enright for a 20-yard touchdown. Beltran threw TDs to six other receivers, and a second one to Enright to finish with seven, matching his school record set against Sequoia earlier this season. Beltran leads the Central Coast Section with 25 passing touchdowns, and Menlo leads CCS teams  by 11 in TD receptions, according to stats entered into MaxPreps. 

Beltran completed 18 of 19 passes for 311 yards, and had two carries for 23 yards. Senior Carter Jung posted four catches for 63 yards and a TD while Enright had three catches for 53 yards and two TDs. Junior Cort Halsey pulled in two passes for 94 yards and a TD and senior Tyler Flynn had three catches for 41 yards and a TD and had a sack.
On the Knights’ second possession, Enright’s 37-yard punt return gave Menlo ideal field position. Beltran picked up a 22-yard gain and then hit senior Ben Banatao for a 14-yard gain before finding senior Jack Giesler, who ran it in from 12 yards. On the ensuing play, Flynn knocked the ball loose from Jefferson, Enright recovered. Beltran threw to Flynn for the Knights’ third TD in six minutes. Menlo would end the first quarter how it started with Beltran connecting with Enright, this time for 28 yards.
In the second quarter, Banatao got the Knights in good position after a punt return. Beltran hit Flynn for a 22-yard gain, then fired to Banatao for a 34-0 lead. Jefferson started its longest drive of the half, but the Knights defense kept the Grizzlies from the midfield point after Flynn delivered a sack to bring up fourth down. Two players later, Beltran threw to junior Cort Halsey for a 60-yard gain before Halsey scored before the half.
In the third, Jefferson tried a fake punt, gained a first down before sophomore Willis Johnson then junior Avery Romain delivered back-to-back sacks, forcing another punt. Beltran would add one more passing TD when Jung pulled in a pass and ran for a 17-yard score. Junior Ross Muchnick converted six PATs.
Menlo (5-0, 1-0 PAL) next plays host to Hillsdale (4-1, 0-0), a 20-13 winner over Sacred Heart Prep on Saturday.

Jefferson 0 0 0 7 - 7
Menlo School 27 14 7 0 - 48

First quarter
M - Robby Enright 20 pass from Sergio Beltran (kick failed). 10:30
M- Jack Giesler 12 pass from Beltran (Ross Muchnick kick) 7:17
M - Tyler Flynn 11 pass from Beltran (Muchnick kick), 5:05
M - Enright 28 pass from Beltran (Muchnick kick), 1:48

Second quarter
M - Ben Banatao 11 pass from Beltran (Muchnick kick), 9:46
M - Cort Halsey 34 pass from Beltran (Muchnick kick), 2:21

Third quarter
M - Carter Jung 17 pass from Beltran (Muchnick kick), 3:26

Fourth quarter
J - Dylan Camp 4 run (Leonal Sandoval kick), 3:07

JV: Menlo 22, Jefferson 0