Pickin' Splinters

Rochester's Independent Sports Source

Big third quarter carries Brighton past Webster Thomas

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Justin Medina rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns as host Brighton improved to 4-0 on the season with a 26-2 victory over Webster Thomas on Saturday, September 26, 2026. (Photo: PAUL GOTHAM)

By PAUL GOTHAM

BRIGHTON, N.Y. — Last season as Brighton football advanced to the NYSPHSAA Class A championship game, head coach Steve Lian took time after every win to acknowledge Section V for preparing his Bruins to compete against the best teams from around the state.

On Saturday afternoon, another Section V foe gave Brighton their best shot.

Despite a slow start, the Bruins were up to the test.

After their first three possessions of the game did nothing but contribute to the opposing point total, the Bruins took advantage of a turnover early in the third quarter and converted on three straight series.

“With these guys, I never doubt that we’ll fix it,” Lian said after Brighton defeated Webster Thomas, 26-2 on Homecoming. “At no point in the slow start, did I, did I think we weren’t gonna be able to figure things out and get it right.”

Justin Medina rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns as Brighton improved to 4-0 on the season.

“It was probably our biggest adversity we’ve been through this season,” said the senior running back. “We knew we had to fight. Coming out in the second half, we just knew it was different. We just had a fight.”

Medina forced a fumble on the first play from scrimmage of the third quarter and scored five plays later. The touchdown sparked 21 unanswered second-half points.

“Our O-line just dominated up front,” he said. “So that’s where I give my props to.”

Brighton’s first three possessions of the game were in stark contrast to the success coming out of halftime.

The Bruins burned a timeout during their first series, a three-and-out.

Then after a turnover on downs, Brighton took possession at the half-yard line. On the next play, the Titans’ Jack Iota slipped into the backfield for a tackle in the end zone to record a safety and give Thomas a 2-0 lead.

On the Bruins’ third series, Ethan Bialaszewski and Omari Bonner connected on a 39-yard pass to set up the Bruins in Thomas territory.

Three plays later, Brighton punted.

Eleven minutes remained in the first half, and the Bruins had run nine offensive plays.

“I called some bad plays, had some bad roster management,” Lian said. “I was messing up, so a lot of that slow start, that’s on me. It was a bad start for myself, and I got to do a better job of making sure that we don’t have those self-inflicted wounds like having to burn a time out early because of late substitutions.”

At the same time, the Thomas offense had found a rhythm. The Titans put together 12 plays on their opening drive.

Rashadd Monson opened with a 12-yard run from scrimmage. After Monson carried for five more yards, junior quarterback Lucas Estelle picked up another first down on the ground before connecting with Ashton Thomas for nine yards.

“That was big,” Thomas head coach Jasson Jobson said of the opening drive. “Then our defense played great and came up with the safety. We got the lead. I was proud.”

With a chance to take the lead, the Titans also put together a 10-play series midway through the second quarter. A pair of penalties, though, stalled that drive.

“I’m very happy with the first half,” Jobson said. “We fought them really hard. We played really well. Unfortunately, we didn’t punch it in, but I’m proud of my guys.”

Zach Rossignol broke a 37-yard run and then scored on the next play to give Brighton a 20-2 lead with 3:58 remaining in the third quarter.

Gavin VanderWal hit Zah’mere Williams in the end zone for the final touchdown of the game.

The two-time reigning sectional champions have allowed a total of three touchdowns over their past three games and outscored opponents 108-16 during that stretch.

“I’m just I’m really proud,” Lian said. “We’ve been preaching to stay in the moment. When you have a group of guys that you’re coming off of back-to-back championships, a trip to the state finals, but you have half your roster that really wasn’t part of that and all they’ve known growing up during their time in high school is, oh, well, we’re going to win.

“Well, it’s not that easy to win. So we’ve been really preaching that mindset of understanding how to stay in the moment and not think about those things. It’s easier said than done. But I think all that work is really what helped us.”

Rossignol finished the game with 99 yards on 12 carries. Anthony Julian led the Brighton defense with 12 tackles. Valerio Akujuobi had six tackles including one for a loss. Medina accounted for six tackles, three for a loss and a sack. Jeffery Dorsey III recovered a fumble.

Brighton will travel to face Churchville-Chili (4-0) next Friday. That game is scheduled for a 7 PM kickoff.

Thomas will host Spencerport for a 7 PM start on Friday as well.

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