by TYLER HATHAWAY
Brighton made it to the state semifinals in 2024, and got back to that spot in 2025. While the Bruins fell in that game last season, Brighton cruised to a 33-point victory this time around to clinch a spot in the NYS Class A state championship for the first time in program history.
It was the second straight blowout win for a Bruins squad that is peaking at the right time. Brighton lost two of its last three games in the regular season, but started rolling once the playoffs started after getting back some of its key starters who were dealing with injury. The Bruins have now won six straight games, three of which against teams who won their section.
Senior linebacker Matthew Heininger is leading the Bruins in tackles and scored the opening touchdown to set the tone in Brighton’s emphatic semifinal win last weekend.
“This has been my dream ever since I was a little kid,” Heininger said after last week’s win. “Ever since elementary school, we’ve just been working for this day in and day out. We’re going to give it all we got this week. Just try to bring it home to the city.”
Rye (I) is in a very familiar spot. The Garnets have won four state titles in the past 20 years, their most recent one coming in 2023. A win would give Rye its first Class A state title. And like Brighton, the Garnets dominated their way through the first two rounds of state play, winning by four touchdowns in both the quarterfinals and semifinals.
The two squads will meet Friday night to decide the NYS Class A state title. Here’s the breakdown:
BRIGHTON BRUINS (10-2/Section V)
vs.
RYE GARNETS (13-0/Section I)
How they got here: Brighton (No. 4 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, where they defeated McKinley (VI) by a score of 42-14. In the state semifinals, Brighton took down Union-Endicott 47-14. The Bruins enter Friday’s game on a six-game winning streak. Rye (No. 2 Class A NYSSWA) won the Section I Class A title after defeating Brewster (44-19), Eastchester (36-22), and Somers (40-17). The Garnets won 42-14 against Minisink Valley (IX) in the state quarterfinals and 35-7 against Cornwall (IX) in the state semifinals.
Points scored: Brighton (28.5 PPG), Rye (41.7 PPG)
Points allowed: Brighton (15.0 PPG), Rye (15.0 PPG)
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM DENNIS JOYCE.
Players to watch for Brighton: Ethan Bialaszewski So. QB/DB (64.9% completion percentage, 1,195 yards, 11 touchdowns); Justin Medina Jr. RB/S (1,043 rushing yards, 17 touchdowns, 46 tackles, two interceptions); Zachary Rossignol Jr. FB/LB (953 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, 37 tackles); Matthew Heininger Sr. LB/RB/TE (324 rushing yards, 288 receiving yards, four total touchdowns, 92 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, University at Buffalo commit); Zahmar Tookes Jr. OL/DL (75 tackles, eight tackles for loss), Patrick Rohr Sr. WR/DB (22 catches, 352 receiving yards, four touchdowns, 35 tackles, four interceptions, two pass deflections), Leo Hopkins Jr. WR/DB (19 catches, 220 receiving yards, six receiving touchdowns, 91 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, three interceptions, three pass deflections)
Rye: Carson Miller Sr. QB (Section I record 3,279 passing yards, 35 passing touchdowns, 895 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, two interceptions on defense), Henry Shoemaker (68 catches, 1,665 receiving yards, 19 touchdowns, three interceptions, one fumble recovery, Harvard University commit), Charlie Garnett Sr. RB (1,036 rushing yards, 22 rushing touchdowns), Sebastian Lewis Sr. WR (37 catches, 754 receiving yards, seven receiving touchdowns), Nigel Strazzini Sr. TE/SS (20 catches, 417 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns, 75 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks), Carsen Steinmann Sr. LB (85 tackles), Jack Levine Sr. DE (61 tackles, six sacks)
Coaches: Stephen Lian (Brighton), Dino Garr (Rye)
History 101: Brighton, which won its first sectional title a year ago, made the state final four last season but fell to Whitesboro (III). The win would give the Bruins football program its first state championship. Rye is looking to win its first Class A state title after winning four Class B championships. The most recent state championship for the Garnets came in 2023.
Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm on Friday night at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse.
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