In recent seasons, the Menlo-Atherton football program has earned a reputation for playing one of the most challenging non-league schedules among all Central Coast Section teams. And 2026 was no exception, as the Bears emerged winless against four East Bay powerhouses Liberty, Acalanes, California and Bishop O’Dowd along with WCAL power Archbishop Mitty. Two of the defeats came by one point.
Apparently, despite the losses, M-A was well-prepared for its league opener, as the Bears picked up their first win of the season, 23-16 in overtime against rival Menlo. Menlo-Atherton opened the scoring in the first quarter on a 39-yard touchdown pass from junior QB Bishop Manumaleuna to junior Kyle Gabriel. After the Knights tied the game late in the first quarter, the Bears scored the game’s next nine points, taking a 16-7 lead on a one-yard run by senior Jamarlo Jackson.
However, Menlo rallied to force overtime, and Jackson scored on another short run to make it 23-16. Menlo’s overtime possession turned over on downs and the Bears survived. Jackson finished with 100 yards rushing and Manumaleuna completed 16-of-24 passes for 171 yards.
The Bears were joined in the win column by Los Gatos and Wilcox in the opening weekend of the PAL-Bay schedule. Los Gatos (5-1, 1-0) got three touchdown passes from senior Jack Siri to senior Shane Harmer and two rushing scores from senior Devonte Troutt in a 49-28 win over Sacred Heart Prep. Harmer caught six passes for 216 yards as Siri completed 8-of-12 passes for 243 yards. Senior JP Durrett completed 25-of-39 passes for 332 yards and four touchdowns for the Gators, who fell to 2-4.
Wilcox (2-4) picked up a 38-29 win over The King’s Academy in its PAL-Bay opener. Sophomore Daniel Ceballos led all Wilcox rushers with 84 yards on just eight carries and four different Chargers ran for scores. Junior Ricky Gutierrez completed 18-of-32 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns for the Knights (2-4).
This weekend, TKA visits Los Gatos, Wilcox hosts Menlo, and Menlo-Atherton makes the short trip to Sacred Heart Prep.
In the PAL-De Anza, Palo Alto and Half Moon Bay won by identical 35-21 scores. In the game of the week in the division, the Vikings handed Burlingame its first loss of the season. Senior QB Justin Fung completed 17-of-22 passes for 295 yards and three TDs, and leading receiver Clement Romanski caught eight balls for 113 yards and two scores. Senior Mark O’Grady threw three touchdown passes for Burlingame, but hit on just 11-of-23 passes for 179 yards.
Half Moon Bay remained unbeaten, rallying for the final 21 points of the game in a 35-21 win over Woodside. San Mateo dropped Mountain View to 0-2 with a 28-14 win. Senior Roman Toki threw a pair of touchdowns to senior Dean Qutteineh to rally the Bearcats (5-1) from a 14-7 deficit in their league opener.
This week, Mountain View hosts Woodside, Burlingame welcomes Half Moon Bay, and Palo Alto visits San Mateo.
On the opening weekend of PAL-Ocean play, Milpitas improved to 5-1 overall with a 42-30 win over Sequoia, Carlmont edged Hillsdale 42-32, and Capuchino knocked off Aragon 30-14.
In the PAL-El Camino, Los Altos beat Santa Clara 40-21, Jefferson rolled past Fremont 40-3, and Terra Nova improved to 2-0 in the league with a 31-21 win over South San Francisco.
In the PAL-Lake, Homestead beat Cupertino 44-20, Saratoga got past El Camino 28-9, Gunn rolled past MacDonald 38-7 to improve to 3-0. Mills shut out Lynbrook 35-0 in a non-league matchup.
