by TYLER HATHAWAY
WEBSTER, N.Y— It was an unusual start for the undefeated Hilton Cadets on Friday night.
Webster Schroeder’s Samuel Hilfiker ripped a long kick return on the first play of the game to set them up on the one before Warriors quarterback Junior Watkins made it 7-0 in 14 seconds.
The ensuing kickoff, Hilton muffed the kick and barely recovered it amongst a crowd of Warrior defenders.
The Cadets were trailing for the first time all season. “Wake up!” was echoed across the Hilton sideline.
Tyler Reger was the alarm clock.
The senior ripped a 64-yard touchdown run on Hilton’s first play from scrimmage and added two more touchdowns in the following five minutes as the Cadets (5-0) cruised to a 56-19 win over the Warriors (2-3) at Webster Schroeder High School.
“It’s definitely amazing,” Reger said about the win. ”They beat us twice last year and kicked us out of the playoffs, so we knew it was going to be a big game. We came into it fired up and showed it on the field.”
“It was huge,” Hilton head coach Rich Lipani said of Reger’s early score. “I thought things weren’t going to go our way tonight, but that play put us back on track.”
The win gave Lipani a Section V record 231st career victory, breaking Dave Whitcomb’s record of 230. Lipani got his start coaching high school football as an assistant under Whitcomb at Aquinas.
“Some of the guys that are on that list are guys I looked up to years ago,” Lipani explained. “Don Quinn, Dan Santini, Dave Whitcomb amongst others. You know, those are great coaches in Section V. To have my name up there, somewhere around them. It’s a real honor for me.”
“It’s awesome”, said Reger of his coach hitting the milestone. “Us seniors really wanted to get it for him this year.”
Lipani, who took over as coach in 1989, has led the Cadets to three sectional titles (1992, 1994, 2022) during his tenure.
“We’ve had a lot of great players over the years,” said Lipani. ”And we’ve got great coaches over here too. A lot of other guys who aren’t with us any longer, or were back for tonight that have been big part of this. It also means I’ve coached for a long time and was able to win some games along the way.”
Lipani wasn’t the only person for Hilton who made history on Friday night. Reger finished with 306 yards of total offense and found the endzone a program-record seven times. He became one of six players in the history of Section V to score seven or more touchdowns in a game.
“It’s definitely awesome,” Reger said about cementing his place in Hilton history. “It means a lot, especially on a special night for Coach Lipani getting the win record too. It was definitely a big night.”
“He makes us all look like we’re good coaches, that’s for sure,” said Lipani. “He is a great kid, great athlete, and makes big plays. This was his best game of the year. And he actually had the opportunity to play more than half of a game today. He’s done outstanding.”
Reger had 297 yards of total offense and five touchdowns in the first half alone as Hilton ran out to a 35-13 lead.
“I get the ball, and since my o-line is great I just find the holes and find where I can go,” Reger explained. “I just use my speed and get there and hit the holes and then hit it outside.”
It’s the fifth straight win for the Cadets, matching their total from a season ago.
“It’s a really special group, and just like a lot of other teams we’ve had, the kids are really dedicated and work hard all year round,” said Lipani. “They love football. They love to work hard. And they want to do well. I couldn’t be happier for these guys and the year they are having so far.”
“We’ve worked every day in practice,” said Reger. “Our offensive line has definitely improved since last year. We had some young guys come up from JV and have absolutely filled some big shoes.”
Reger ran it 15 times for 250 yards and caught five passes for 56 yards. Six of his touchdowns were on the ground, with his longest run going for 83 yards. He also made five tackles and forced a fumble. Matthew Kosiorek threw for 171 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 22 yards. Calvin Starwald ran 13 times for 70 yards and led the defense with six tackles. Jared Wade caught four passes for 69 yards and a touchdown. Gianluca Auriuso caught two passes for 18 yards. John Kosiorek ran it four times for 11 yards.
Prior to Friday’s game, Webster Schroeder hadn’t given up more than 14 points in a game this season.
“Guys like Reger, Calvin Starwald, Matt Kosiorek are all unbelievable,” said Lipani. “We’re just happy that we have them on our team, and they make us all look pretty good.”
Junior Watkins ran for 35 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 211 yards and a touchdown for Webster Schroeder. Casey Pagano was on the receiving end of a 46-yard touchdown.
Hilton will play host to Pittsford next week. The Cadets have just two games left before sectionals.
“We just need to keep getting better,” said Lipani. “That’s all we can ask for, just keep working hard and see where it takes us.”
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