In the first Central Coast Section playoffs, the Menlo girls’ flag football team rolled past visiting Los Altos 30-6 on Monday to advance to the semifinals.

Playing in the top-tier Open Division, the top-seeded Knights (14-2) next face No. 5 Menlo-Atherton (13-2), which beat St. Francis SCP-Watsonville 25-19. The semifinals are Wednesday. at 3:00 pm at home. Los Gatos plays at Sacred Heart Prep in the other semi.

Knights junior Ava Allen delivered four touchdown passes, including two to Anika Shah, and ran for another.

The Knights got on the scoreboard 2 minutes into the second quarter when junior quarterback Ava Allen found sophomore Lisi Mahe, breaking to the left sideline for a touchdown. That started a series of three quick strikes, and Menlo led 18-0 at the half

“They played with great energy and great confidence,” Menlo Coach Noah Lubarsky said. “The effort was there, and we executed well.”

After the defense stops Los Altos, Allen cappeed a drive with a touchdown run of her own.

Minutes later, Sophie Housser reeled in a TD pass from Allen and the Knights had a three-sscorre advantage.

Knights freshman Sierra Wynn delivered a timely sack and Claire Barkley a quarterback hurry gave Menlo the ball.

Then, sophomore Anika Shah, who had two touchdowns against Carlmont, had two more TD catches back to back for Menlo - one in the third quarter and one in the final.

Allen and Shah each had interceptions for the Knights. The Eagles landed a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.