by TYLER HATHAWAY
It’s the second time in two seasons that Brighton has reached the state final four. In 2024, the Bruins finally broke through and won their first Section V title in program history. They won the Far West Regional, but fell in the NYS Class A state semifinals to Whitesboro (III).
Now, Brighton is back in the spot where its year ended the year before. They’ve already beaten two sectional champions in East/World of Inquiry and McKinley (VI), and will aim to beat another when taking on Union-Endicott (IV) on Friday.
Union-Endicott (IV) needed a two-point conversion stop in overtime to win the Section IV Class A championship against Horseheads. But in the state quarterfinals against Whitesboro, a team that was looking to go to its third straight state championship game, the Tigers roared; using 32 unanswered points to win in blowout fashion.
The programs have quite the opposite histories. Brighton has won two sectional titles. Union-Endicott has won 20. But they both have one thing in common: they’ve never won a state championship. The two squads will play for a spot in the Class A state title game this weekend. Here’s the breakdown:
BRIGHTON BRUINS (10-2/Section V)
vs.
UNION-ENDICOTT TIGERS (9-2/Section IV)
How they got here: Brighton (No. 5 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, in which they defeated McKinley (VI) by a score of 42-14. The Bruins enter Friday’s game on a five-game winning streak. Union-Endicott (No. 4 Class A NYSSWA) started postseason play with a win against Binghamton (56-6) before beating Horseheads (21-20) in the Section IV Class A championship game in overtime. In regionals, the Tigers took down Whitesboro (III) by a score of 46-22.
Points scored: Brighton (29.4), Union-Endicott (30.4 PPG)
Points allowed: Brighton (16.5), Union-Endicott (20.1 PPG)
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM DENNIS JOYCE.
Players to watch for Brighton: Ethan Bialaszewski So. QB/DB (64.3% completion percentage, 1,142 yards, 10 touchdowns); Justin Medina Jr. RB/S (919 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns, 45 tackles, two interceptions); Zachary Rossignol Jr. FB/LB (842 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns, 37 tackles); Matthew Heininger Sr. LB/RB/TE (283 rushing yards, 288 receiving yards, four total touchdowns, 87 tackles, University at Buffalo commit); Zahmar Tookes Jr. OL/DL (73 tackles, eight tackles for loss), Patrick Rohr Sr. WR/DB (21 catches, 347 receiving yards, four touchdowns, 35 tackles, four interceptions, two pass deflections)
Union-Endicott: Joseph Gennarelli Jr. QB (one passing touchdown, 168 passing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 140 rushing yards one interception on defense in regionals), Robert Mabry RB (140 rushing yards, four touchdown runs in regionals), Chad Eldridge WR (39-yard receiving touchdown in regionals) Rami Carney (game-winning tackle in OT of sectional title game)
Coaches: Stephen Lian (Brighton), Tommy Baleno (Union-Endicott)
History 101: Brighton, which won its first sectional title a year ago, will make its second straight appearance in the state semifinals.. Last year, the Bruins were defeated by Whitesboro (III). Union-Endicott has won the Section IV Class A title four times since 2019 and advanced to the state final four for the first time since 2022, a year that saw the Tigers reach the state championship game. Union-Endicott looking for its first state title.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Class A championship game against the winner of Cornwall (IX) and Rye (I).
Kickoff is set for 5:00 pm on Sunday night at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.
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