The Menlo School football team launched its season with a 49-0 victory over visiting Tennyson on Saturday.

After the defense opened the game with a pair of scores, and contained Tennyson throughout the game, the Menlo offense got off the ground running and passing. Knights junior Jack Freehill threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. Chuck Wynn, also a junior, added a pair of TD runs in the third quarter.

A safety after a bobbled snap on a punt led to a safety to start a Knights firestorm. Knights senior Jamie Forese picked off a pass on the Lancers’ next possession and ran 58 years for the pick-8 and an 8-0 advantage. Menlo’s offense joined the scoring barrage minutes later, when junior quarterback Jack Freehill dodged two would-be tacklers, and ran across the backfield and found senior Ryan Jabal for a a 38-yard score to start the second quarter.

Forese added a touchdown run to start the second quarter after senior KC Chavinson made an interception to put Menlo at Tennyson’s 21. Senior Kyle Mahaffey’s sack on Tennyson’s next possession led to a punt, and Menlo capitalized: Freehill threw to Jack Earnhardt for a 7-yard score on a five-play possession.

Junior kicker Dylan O’ Malley converted all five of his extra-point attempts.

Tennyson 0 0 0 0 - 0

Menlo 8 27 14 0 - 0

First quarter

Safety - bad snap 10:21

Jamie Forese 58 INT return 6;28

Second quarter

Ryan Jabal 38 pass from Jack Freehill (pass failed) 11:48

Forese 16 pass from Freehill (Dylan O’Malley kick) 8:06

Freehill 16 run ( O’Malley kick), 5:28

Jack Earnhardt 7 pass from Freehill (O’Malley kick) :03

Third quarter

Chuck Wynn 12 run (O’Malley kick), 10:16

Wynn 2 run (O’Malley kick) 3:40