Domination: Menlo School silences Branham with a defensive gem

SAN JOSE On its second possession of the meeting Branham tried to run a screen pass on third down from its own -yard line Menlo School defensive lineman Zach Reynolds stepped in front of the intended receiver for the interception at the and registered one of the shortest returns for a touchdown anyone will ever see That play sort of set the tone for what was to follow as Menlo s defense turned in a memorable performance in a - nonleague win at Branham For Reynolds his touchdown was something of a dream come true I was surprised when I caught it the -foot- -pound Reynolds disclosed My hands are obviously not the best being a lineman It was amazing Good thing it was inside the If it had been at the I apparently would ve been tackled It might ve been the greatest moment of my life honestly I d never scored a touchdown before Menlo School quarterback Jack Freehill breaks free from a tackle by Branham High's Patrick Willson as he runs for a first down in the first quarter of their football contest in San Jose Calif on Friday Sept Doug Duran Bay Area News Group Menlo extended its lead to - at halftime as quarterback Jack Freehill threw for one touchdown a -yarder to Trevor van der Pyl and ran for another But Menlo s defense was the story Branham came into the competition - and averaging points per battle in those two wins Menlo s defense led by Palmer Riley who had three sacks pressured Branham quarterback Andrew Ho into -of- passing in the first half Ho limped off the field at one point in the first half and Branham coach Tommy McMahon had him sit out the second half when the Bruins offense went run-heavy Michael Murphy carried times for Branham for yards But Menlo never allowed Branham to get even a sniff of the end zone We indicated them looks I don t think they d seen before Menlo coach Todd Smith stated We gave them several odd zone pressure that s pretty hard to prepare for in a regular high school week Menlo School players celebrate after winning their football encounter - against Branham High in San Jose Calif on Friday Sept Doug Duran Bay Area News Group Menlo took the second half kickoff and went yards in five running plays Chuck Winn started it off with a -yard run Freehill picked up on a third-and- play and then scampered yards for the touchdown Related Articles Chaos Saratoga Overfelt throw the kitchen sink at each other as Royals escape late with narrow win San Ramon Valley sends a message with win over Clayton Valley Charter Barnburner Acalanes defense sparks stunning comeback win over St Ignatius High school football Friday s Week scores Saturday s schedule De La Salle overpowers St Francis improves to - The Knights added one more touchdown on a hook and lateral on the first play of the fourth quarter Freehill completed a short pass to Drew Housser who lateralled to Merrick Ward and he took it the rest of the way for a -yard touchdown Freehill was of for yards passing and gained yards rushing on carries Winn gained yards on carries When we play our best football we feel we can compete with anyone McMahon reported When we don t sometimes this happens Our boys competed on to the next one How do you bounce back from this how do you respond to this There s a long season to go The Branham High football unit take to the field for their tournament against Menlo School in San Jose Calif on Friday Sept Doug Duran Bay Area News Group Branham High's Michael Murphy runs for a first down in the third quarter of their football event against Menlo School in San Jose Calif on Friday Sept Menlo School went on to win the tournament - Doug Duran Bay Area News Group Branham High quarterback Nico Gomez throws a pass in the fourth quarter of their football match against Menlo School in San Jose Calif on Friday Sept Menlo School went on to win the championship - Doug Duran Bay Area News Group Menlo School Head Coach Todd Smith congratulates the band after winning their football championship - against Branham High in San Jose Calif on Friday Sept Doug Duran Bay Area News Group Menlo School quarterback Jack Freehill runs for a first down before being tackled by Branham High's Maddox Nazzisi in the second quarter of their football contest in San Jose Calif on Friday Sept Doug Duran Bay Area News Group Branham High players are silhouetted by the setting sun as they warm up before their football match against Menlo School in San Jose Calif on Friday Sept Doug Duran Bay Area News Group Menlo School's Chuck Wynn runs for a first down in the third quarter of their football championship against Branham High in San Jose Calif on Friday Sept Doug Duran Bay Area News Group