Menlo News September 12, 2025

Football shuts out Branham on the road

Reynolds with a pick-6, Riley delivers three sacks

Zach Reynolds gets congratulations from the sideline after his 1-yard pick-6 in the first quarter.

Menlo School’s defense displayed a showcase while its offense was as prolific as ever in a 35-0 win over host Branham on Friday night.

Menlo seniors Palmer Riley (52) and Chuck Wynn tackle Branham's Brayden HodgesOn the Bruins’ second possession, senior defensive lineman Zach Reynolds stepped in front of the intended receiver and took a few more steps into the end zone for the Knights’ first score of the game. On Branham’s next possession, Menlo stopped the Bruins short inside their 25 after senior Palmer Riley delivered one of his three sacks of the night. Menlo ended the game with a goal-line stand and another sack from Riley, and Merrick Ward .

Meanwhile, the Knights (3-0) churned out points, starting with quarterback Jack Freehill’s 32-yard pass to fellow senior Trevor van der Pyl. Menlo stopped Branham again inside its own 40 after Riley’s pass deflecton on fourth down. Freehill completed 10 of 20 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 129 more and two TDs. Van der Pyl had four caatches for 59 yards.

To start the second quarter, Riley recorded another sack before senior linebacker Chuck Wynn forced a fumble and senior end Will Farrell recovered.

After two big runs from Wynn and a pair of Branham penalties, Freehill capped an 81-yard drive with a 3-yard TD run and Menlo led 21-0 heading into the half. Wynn collected 105 yards in 12 carries,

Menlo senior Jack Freehill evades tackles on his way to a 32-yard, ankle-breaking TD in the third quarter

Because of Wynn’s 35-yard rush and his own run, Freehill needed just four plays before he juked two defenders, broke free from another would-be tackler for a 32-yard touchdown to start the third quarter.

Menlo started the fourth quarter with its final score when Freehill threw to sophomore Drew Housser, who lateraled to a charging Ward. The junior rumbled into thje end zone for a 24-yard score.

Knights senior Dylan O’Malley again was a perfect 5 for 5 on PATs for the night.

JV recorded its third consecutive shutout with a 41-0 win.

Menlo School 14 7 7 7 - 35

Branham 0 0 0 0 - 0

First quarter

M - Zach Reynolds 1 INT return (Dylan O’Malley PAT), 6:50

M - Trevor Van der Pyl 32 pass from Jack Freehill (O’Malley PAT) 3:11

Second quarter

M - Freehill 3 run (O’Malley PAT) 2:40

Third quarter

M - Freehill 31 run (O’Malley PAT), 10:09

Fourth quarter