SAN JOSE — On its second possession of the game, Branham tried to run a screen pass on third down from its own 8-yard line. Menlo School defensive lineman Zach Reynolds stepped in front of the intended receiver for the interception at the 1 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 35-0 nonleague win at Branham.
For Reynolds, his touchdown was something of a dream come true.
“I was surprised when I caught it,” the 5-foot-10, 235-pound Reynolds said. “My hands are obviously not the best, being a lineman. It was amazing. Good thing it was inside the 5. If it had been at the 10, I probably 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 (3) breaks free from a tackle by Branham High’s Patrick Willson (27) as he runs for a first down in the first quarter of their football game in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
Menlo extended its lead to 21-0 at halftime as quarterback Jack Freehill threw for one touchdown, a 32-yarder to Trevor van der Pyl, and ran for another.
But Menlo’s defense was the story. Branham came into the game 2-0 and averaging 34 points per game in those two wins. Menlo’s defense, led by Palmer Riley who had three sacks, pressured Branham quarterback Andrew Ho into 3-of-12 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 23 times for Branham for 139 yards. But Menlo never allowed Branham to get even a sniff of the end zone.
“We showed them looks I don’t think they’d seen before,” Menlo coach Todd Smith said. “We gave them some odd zone pressure that’s pretty hard to prepare for in a regular high school week.”
Menlo School players celebrate after winning their football game 35-0 against Branham High in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
Menlo took the second half kickoff and went 90 yards in five running plays. Chuck Winn started it off with a 35-yard run. Freehill picked up 22 on a third-and-9 play and then scampered 31 yards for the touchdown.
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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 24-yard touchdown.
Freehill was 9 of 19 for 109 yards passing and gained 129 yards rushing on 13 carries. Winn gained 103 yards on 12 carries.
“When we play our best football we feel we can compete with anyone,” McMahon said. “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 team take to the field for their game against Menlo School in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
Branham High’s Michael Murphy (7) runs for a first down in the third quarter of their football game against Menlo School in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. Menlo School went on to win the game 35-0. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
Branham High quarterback Nico Gomez (18) throws a pass in the fourth quarter of their football game against Menlo School in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. Menlo School went on to win the game 35-0. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
Menlo School Head Coach Todd Smith congratulates the team after winning their football game 35-0 against Branham High in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
Menlo School quarterback Jack Freehill (3) runs for a first down before being tackled by Branham High’s Maddox Nazzisi (4) in the second quarter of their football game in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
Branham High players are silhouetted by the setting sun as they warm up before their football game against Menlo School in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
Menlo School’s Chuck Wynn (22) runs for a first down in the third quarter of their football game against Branham High in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)