One team is looking to be crowned sectional champions for the third season in a row. The other is attempting to win its second in the past five seasons. Two Monroe County squads will meet Friday when Brighton and Hilton duel for the Class A1 title. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 seed BRIGHTON BRUINS (9-0)
Vs.
No. 3 seed HILTON CADETS (7-2)
Friday, Gates Chili HS, 8:00 pm
How they arrived here: Brighton (No. 5 NYSSWA Class A) started its run with a 42-20 victory over No. 8 seed Gates Chili. In the semifinals, the Bruins pulled out a 21-14 win over fourth-seeded Victor. Hilton (No. 9 NYSSWA Class A) took down No. 6 seed Webster Schroeder 28-27 in the quarterfinals before nabbing a 42-14 win over No. 2 seed Churchville-Chili to seal a spot in the title game.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM STEVEN TWARDZIK.
Points per game: Brighton (37.6 PPG), Hilton (39.3 PPG)
Points allowed per game: Brighton (14.6 PPG), Hilton (18.6 PPG)
Trends: The Bruins won their first eight games this year by two touchdowns or more. Hilton touts the best scoring offense in Class A1, and has scored more than 40 points five times this season.
Players to watch for Brighton: Justin Medina Sr. RB/LB (988 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns, 30 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one interception), Ethan Bialaszewski Jr. QB (752 passing yards, 62.5 CMP%, 10 passing touchdowns, 281 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns), Zach Rossignol Sr. RB (704 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns) Valerio Akujuobi So. LB (51 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one interception) Leo Hopkins Sr. WR/DB (19 catches, 251 receiving yards, five touchdowns, 15 tackles, six pass deflections) Colin Rossignol Sr. LB (50 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery)
Players to watch for Hilton: Tyler Reger Sr. RB (1,190 rushing yards, 19 rushing touchdowns, four touchdown catches), Matthiew Kosiorek Sr. QB (66.2 CMP%, 815 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, 391 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, 36 tackles), Gianluca Auriuso Sr. WR/LB (three touchdown catches, 50 tackles), Calvin Starwald Sr. LB (team-leading 66 tackles, sack), Jared Wade Sr. WR/LB (four touchdown catches), Jha’Zae Dessources Sr. LB (36 tackles)
Coaches: Stephen Lian (Brighton), Rich Lipani (Hilton)
History 101: Brighton has won two sectional titles in a row, Class A in 2024 and Class A1 in 2025, the only two in program history. Hilton last won a block in 2022, and a win Friday night would be the fourth in program history. These squads last met in the 2025 regular season, with Hilton taking it 22-0.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Class A Far West Regional Qualifier against the winner of Canandaigua and Greece Athena.
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