One team enters after winning its second straight sectional title and is looking to get back to the state semifinal game for the second season in a row. The other just won its first sectional title ever. Brighton and McKinley (VI) will fight for a spot in the NYS Class A semifinals on Friday night. Here’s the breakdown:
BRIGHTON BRUINS (9-2)
vs.
McKINLEY MACKS (9-2)
How they got here: Brighton (No. 17 Class A NYSSWA) won a sectional championship after taking down Churchville-Chili (35-14), Irondequoit (7-6), and Webster Schroeder (30-20). The Bruins defeated East/World of Inquiry 24-14 in the Section V Class A State Qualifier to clinch their spot in the Far West Regional. McKinley (No. 6 Class A NYSSWA) beat Clarence (36-14) in the first round of the Section VI playoffs, Grand Island (22-0) in the semifinals, and Health Sciences/BASC/Global Concepts (38-14) in the championship game.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM DENNIS JOYCE.
Players to watch for Brighton: Ethan Bialaszewski So. QB/DB (64.7% completion percentage, 1024 yards, eight touchdowns); Justin Medina Jr. RB/S (870 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns, 44 tackles, two interceptions); Zachary Rossignol Jr. FB/LB (656 rushing yards, eight touchdowns, 37 tackles); Matthew Heininger Sr. LB/RB/TE (283 rushing yards, 241 receiving yards, four total touchdowns, 82 tackles, University at Buffalo commit); Zahmar Tookes Jr. OL/DL (66 tackles, six tackles for loss), Patrick Rohr Sr. WR/DB (20 catches, 295 receiving yards, three touchdowns, 30 tackles, three interceptions, two pass deflections)
McKinley: Kalaugn Ford Sr. QB (1,791 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, 1,402 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns), Anthony Moore III (1,278 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns), Cardel Staples Sr. (31 catches, 907 receiving yards, 10 receiving touchdowns, 532 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 48 tackles, three fumble recoveries), Jamere Hill Sr. (110 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns, 115 tackles, three fumble recoveries, 12.5 sacks), Tashawn Henley Jr. (110 tackles, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles), Antonio Broadus Sr. (97 tackles)
Coaches: Stephen Lian (Brighton), Brian Davis (McKinley).
History 101: Brighton, which won its first sectional title a year ago, will make its second straight appearance in the Far West Regional. Last year, the Bruins ended up advancing to the NYS Class A state semifinals, but were defeated by Whitesboro (III). This is McKinley’s first ever appearance in the Far West Regional after the Macks won a program-first sectional title.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Class A semifinals against the winner of Whitesboro (III) and Union-Endicott (IV).
Kickoff is set for 8:00 pm on Friday night at All High Stadium in Buffalo.
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