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The Menlo School and Sacred Heart Prep football teams entered Saturday night’s annual Valparaiso Bowl undefeated and hoping to earn bragging rights for the entire school year. Only Menlo’s hopes were realized.
Led by an effective rushing attack and a sturdy defense, Menlo (2-0) had no problem rolling over Sacred Heart Prep, 38-12, in the fifth annual grudge game at Woodside High. It was Menlo’s fourth win in five years over its neighbor.
Menlo jumped on the Gators (1-1) by taking a 21-0 lead after one quarter with short touchdown runs from junior running back Ryan O’Holleran, senior quarterback Travis Boyce and junior receiver Jerry Rice, Jr. Menlo upped the advantage to 35-0 at the half behind Rice’s 23-yard scoring sprint and a 15-yard scoring pass from Boyce to senior receiver RJ Carver.
Menlo outgained Sacred Heart Prep, 310-57, in the first half and found the end zone on its first five drives.
Sacred Heart scored in the second half on a 7-yard touchdown run from junior running back Matt Bocci and a 54-yard scoring pass from junior quarterback Ryan Sakowski to junior receiver Kevin Lamb. Menlo made the final 38-12 on a 38-yard field goal from senior Adrian Rosenkranz.
Boyce led Menlo with 264 yards passing and 95 yards rushing on 12 carries. Rice contributed 101 yards rushing and 46 yards receiving. Menlo outgained Sacred Heart Prep for the game, 536-185.
Sacred Heart Prep battles Mills on Friday night at Burlingame High, while Menlo draws a bye this week.
Menlo-Atherton 38, Independence 0
The Bears (2-0) remained undefeated this season and won their fifth straight nonleague game over two years with a big triumph in their home opener Saturday.
It was an early day for M-A senior quarterback Troy McCabe, who completed five of seven passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns before taking a seat in the second half.
By that time, the outcome was all but decided.
McCabe hooked up with Raymond Vanikolo on a 77-yard scoring play in the opening half, but the highlight of the Bears’ offense was their running game that picked up 208 yards.
A total of 10 ballcarriers compiled the yardage with Jamal Wilkins gaining 49 yards on five carries. Will Latu added 42 yards, mostly on inside runs. M-A outgained Independence, 397-165.
While the offense was moving well, the Bears’ defense set up all of the team’s first-half scoring.
On Independence’s first possession, Paula Mataele stripped the ball from a running back and recovered it on the 23-yard line. Three plays later, Wilkins was in the end zone.
M-A got the ball back on the next possession when Andrew Klein stopped the 76ers on fourth-and-3. Three plays later, Vanikilo made his catch and run on the 77-yard scoring play.
Menlo-Atherton defensive back Nick Dove extended Independence’s frustration on the next series when he intercepted a pass at midfield, starting an eight-play drive to the end zone and a 21-0 lead.
Menlo-Atherton will host perennial power Valley Christian this coming Saturday at 2 p.m.
