Menlo School’s football team saw its historic playoff run end with a 42-6 defeat to St. Ignatius in the Central Coast Section Div. II semifinals on Friday night. The Knights finished the season at 9-3 and went the farthest at the highest playoff division in program history, and faced a WCAL opponent for the first time.

On Friday night in San Francisco, St. Ignatius started quickly, scoring on their opening drive. On the ‘Cats’ second possession, seniors Liam Pappalardo and Palmer Riley combined for tackles for loss and helped force a three-and-out.

The Wildcats led 28-0 by halftime with Caedon Afsharipour throwing five touchdown passes to power his team’s offense.

In the game’s final period, Menlo senior running back Chuck Wynn and quarterback Jack Freehill led a drive that culminated in Freehill connecting with fellow senior Trevor van der Pyl for the Knights’ lone touchdown.

Menlo’s campaign closes with significant achievements: third place in the Peninsula Athletic League in the top-tier Bay Division, and their first contest against a WCAL power.

The Knights bid farewell to its 11 seniors: Will Farrell, Jackson Flanagan, Jack Freehill, Tyler Hinkie, Cole McKenney, Dylan O’Malley, Liam Pappalardo, Zach Reynolds, Palmer Riley, Trevor van der Pyl, and Chuck Wynn.

In Menlo Head Coach Todd’s Smith’s five years as head coach, the Knights have compiled a 47-16 overall record and is 17-8 in league.