Football games under stadium lights might be a normal event for other high schools, but October 11th marked a historic event for Menlo School: the first home night football game. While energy levels were high for the annual homecoming game, so were nerves. The opposing school, Carlmont, was known to have a powerhouse football program, but the Menlo Knights were up for the challenge. 

Senior Jaden Richardson has been playing Menlo football since freshman year and recently announced his commitment to play football at Tufts University. He continues to be a crucial asset to the team as he has gained the largest amount of yardage on the team at 303 and counting.

Senior quarterback Kevin Alarcon leads the Knights on an offensive play as he searches for his receiver to throw to. Alarcon has also been playing Menlo football since freshman year and has continued to impress on the field as he fights through injury. With 427 yards under his belt this season, he continues to connect passes and scrambles past defensive linemen play after play. 

Senior running back Samson Axe sprints past Carlmont’s defense in a drive gaining several yards. This marked Axe’s first game back from a serious high-ankle injury. Axe plans to continue playing both football and lacrosse as he has recently announced his commitment to play Trinity College. 

Richardson, wide receiver, checks with his coaches on the line of scrimmage before the snap. Following this play, Richardson received a pass from Alarcon in the endzone, scoring a touchdown and putting the Knights in the lead.

Backup quarterback, junior Elliot Kinder barely gets off a pass to his receivers as the Carlmont defensive gains on him. Kinder momentarily stepped up as quarterback at the game for his teammate Alarcon. Kinder joined Menlo’s varsity team this year and has proven to be essential the Knight’s offensive and defensive line. 

Wide receiver and defensive back junior, Chris D’Alencon, talks with Coach Lubarsky in between plays. D’Alencon joined the varsity team as a sophomore and is proving to be crucial on the field with 84 yards so far this season. 

Sophomore, Noah Kornfeld and his coach McAdams discuss the last play and room for improvement. Kornfeld started playing varsity football this year as an offensive tackle. 

Senior quarterback Justin Sellers looks at the cheering fans and his offensive line as he prepares for the next play. Sellers has been playing Menlo football since freshman year and has proven to rise to the occasion as he stayed composed on offense when filling in for his injured teammate, Alarcon.

Sellers, sophomore Jack Giesler and their other teammates kneel on the sideline as they watch the Knight’s defense finish off the game and maintain the team’s lead of 23 to 17.