One team just won its second straight sectional title. The other just won its second in the past three seasons. Two Class A powers will clash when Brighton (#21 Class A NYSSWA) and East/World of Inquiry (#17 Class A NYSSWA) take the field on Friday night for a spot in the state quarterfinals. Here’s the breakdown:
BRIGHTON BRUINS (8-2/Class A1)
vs.
EAST/WORLD OF INQUIRY EAGLES (8-2/Class A2)
How they got here: Brighton entered as the No. 4 seed in Class A1 and won a sectional championship after taking down Churchville-Chili (35-14), Irondequoit (7-6), and Webster Schroeder (30-20). East/World of Inquiry was the top-seed in Class A2 and defeated Wilson/Early College (48-6), Eastridge (39-0), and Brockport (34-7) on its way to a title.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JEROME DAVIS.
Players to watch for Brighton: Ethan Bialaszewski So. QB/DB (64.7% completion percentage, 986 yards, eight touchdowns); Justin Medina Jr. RB/S (779 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns, two interceptions); Zachary Rossignol Jr. FB/LB (518 rushing yards, seven touchdowns, 37 tackles); Matthew Heininger Sr. LB/RB/TE (277 rushing yards, 241 receiving yards, four total touchdowns, 70 tackles, University at Buffalo commit); Zahmar Tookes Jr. OL/DL (64 tackles, six tackles for loss).
East/World of Inquiry: Taye Brown Jr. Jr. QB/WR/LB (502 passing yards, five passing touchdowns, 495 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 25 tackles); Junayde Dunn-Richardson Sr. QB/WR/DE (171 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 269 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, five catches, 60 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown, 44 tackles); Amir Bush Sr. RB/LB (457 rushing yards, seven touchdowns); Legacy Taylor Fr. RB/DB (476 rushing yards, six total touchdowns); Dezmon Jackson So. WR/LB (25 catches, 517 receiving yards, six touchdowns)
Coaches: Stephen Lian (Brighton), James Vann (East/World of Inquiry)
History 101: This is the second season in a row that Brighton has won a sectional title. Last year, the Bruins ended up advancing to the NYS Class A semifinals, but were defeated by Whitesboro (III). In 2023, East/World of Inquiry won the Section V Class A title before also losing in the state semifinals to Whitesboro (III).
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Class A Far West Regional against the Section VI Class A winner, either McKinley or Health Sciences/Buffalo Academy of Science/GC.
Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm on Friday night at Rush-Henrietta High School.
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