Menlo-Atherton vs McClymonds | GSF Week #5 Game of the Week

This was a wild game with a wild finish. Both McClymonds and Menlo-Atherton are loaded with future college players. McClymonds, with their 27 man roster stood toe-to-toe with the Bears beyond regulation. They scored on their opening drive and defended M-A’s first offensive drive in the red zone led by sophomore Rafael Campbell who came up with multiple huge stops. The Bears scored on their second offensive drive with Dane Fifita doing the dirty work of running and advancing the ball thru McClymonds’ D-1 defenders. QB Matt Macleod capped off the drive with a pass in the corner of the end zone to Jeremiah Erby for the equalizer.

M-A committed multiple penalties that resulted in a lot of loss yardage and time. That gave McClymonds some advantage to recover after the plays and take possession with enough time to score right before the half to take a 13-7 lead.

The Bears’ second possession in the second half turned out to be a touchdown drive. Macleod connected with Johnnie Barbie in the back of the endzone and after the PAT, M-A took the lead for the first time in the game.

The Warriors finally got back on the horse, drove downfield, and scored to take back the lead but another missed PAT only gave them a 19-14 lead to end the third. Junior DT Malik Richardson came up with a huge sack to end M-A’s effort to answer back. The sack led to a punt and on the first play from their own 32, Jaivian Thomas took a handoff from Paul to the house that extended the lead 27 to 14 after a successful two-point conversion.

M-A put together a scoring drive on their next possession using Fifita for their ground attack. Fifita racked up over 125 yards on 15 touches. His one-yard touchdown chopped the lead down to 27-20 and as the Bears try for the extra point, a badly handled snap allowed the Warriors’ to hit the holder and the kicker legally. A loud crack and pop echoed in the air over the crowd noise and multiple yellow flags were unleashed. McClymonds was penalized for targeting. That resulted in a do-over and the Bears managed to add one more point to make it 27-21.

With time winding down in regulation, Menlo-Atherton connected on a huge 3rd and long play. Macleod, in duress, fired a strike to a wide-open Johno Price who then dragged two defenders all the way to the two-yard line with 1:10 remaining. M-A chose to score right away with Fifita from the one-yard line to even out the score at 27-27 but missed the PAT.

Time expired with McClymonds driving for the win and they were granted four downs from the ten to start the overtime period. But unfortunately, instead of going forwards, the Warriors got pushed back all the way out to the 35-yard line and on 4th and goal Fifita sacked the QB.

Fifita took a short pass from Macleod to start the Bears’ offensive drive and he ended up at the five. two plays later, M-A elected to win the game with a field goal. Kicker Juan Pulido delivered and the Bears won it.

Macleod earned himself the GSF Week #5 Game of the Week MVP honors while Fifita took home the Playmaker shirt. Pulido was awarded on the spot the GSF Special Teams Player of the Week for his game-winning field goal. All three received the IKE’s Love and Sandwiches gift card.