Menlo School flag football team captures inaugural CCS Open Championship

Since the sport was sanctioned three seasons ago, Menlo School girls’ flag football team is used to being a trailblazer. With Saturday’s 27-13 win in the inaugural Central Coast Section Open Championship, the Knights owned a new first.

Flag football was sanctioned in 2023, and Menlo not only was on board with more than enough players for two teams, the Knights quickly took their spot at the head of the class. Now that there’s a CCS postseason for flag football, Menlo won that as well in the highest division. Aside from tennis, which competes in one division, it is the first CCS Open Championship in Menlo’s history.

Junior Ava Allen has been QB since Day 1. “We’ve just always wanted to play at the highest level and as long as possible,” she shared. “Being a new sport, we just fell in love. Finally to be able to play under pressure to the very end, really meant a lot to us.”

The four seniors — Housser, Maren Mulloy, defensive back/receiver/kicker Bianca Putanec, and center, slot Marin Yamada — each had a part in the CCS Championship on the field Saturday.

“Ever since I was a freshman, they all welcomed me with open arms.” said Allen, who is doing the same for the newcomers now. “We all have a common goal to play the best football we possibly can.”

Photo courtesy of Menlo School