Menlo News September 24, 2022

Football shuts down Palo Alto

Knights improve to 3-1

9.24.2022 – With a dominating defensive outing, Menlo School football team shut down Palo Alto 18-0 in a non-league matchup at Menlo on Saturday.
The Knights (3-1) bounced back from a loss to Freedom on the road with a convincing win.
On the Knights’ second possession, quarterback Jake Bianchi marched the team from their 40 downfield, completing passes to Brady Jung, Charlie King and Cort Halsey while running back Wllis Johnson helped move the Knights before senior Ross Muchnick converted on a 36-year field goal with 2:45 left in the first.

Bianchi completed 16 of 24 passes for 106 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. His primary target, Charlie King, who had eight catches for 40 yards and on the other side of the ball, along with Cort Halsey, led the Knights with eight tackles.

Knights senior Avery Romain, making one of his many big plays, knocked down a pass attempt and Menlo took over on downs. Minutes into the second with Palo Alto, Romain breaks up another play then Brady Jung blocks the Vikings punt, the ball tumbles out the end zone for a safety, and Menlo led 5-0.

Jung made seven tackles and Romain added six. 
Again, Menlo didn’t allow a first down. Paly turns over the ball and Ty Richardson gives the Knights a 29-yard punt return and weathers a face-mask penalty to put Menlo at the Paly 14. Johnson and Jung get the ball to the 6 where Johnson pulls in a pass from Bianchi for a 12-0 lead with 4:35 left in the half.
The Knights locked down on all angles with Alec Jabal and Romain combining on another sack and the Knights breaking up two passes to force fourth down on the last possession of the third. In the fourth .
To start the fourth in a 10-play drive, Menlo’s Richardson is fouled on a catch and an unsportsmanlike penalty puts the Knights at the 18. Johnson picks up a pair of gains before rumbling into the end zone from the 3 with 8:38 left
Menlo’s Ari Krane recovered a fumble and a multi-faceted defense got the shutout.
The Knights play at Amador Valley on Friday night in a rescheduled game.

Palo Alto          0 0 0 0 - 0
Menlo School  5 7 0 6 - 18

First quarter
Ross Muchnick 36 FG 2:45

Second quarter
Brady Jung blocks punt, goes out of end zone for a safety 9:12
Charlie King 6 pass from Jake Bianchi (Muchnick kick) 4:35

Fourth quarter
Willis Johnson 3 run (run failed), 8:39


JV: Menlo 14, Palo Alto 13