Step by step, or more like yard by yard, the Brighton Bruins made it back to the Class A high school football state tournament.
The Bruins earned their spot by defeating East High/World of Inquiry 24-14, in a state qualifier playoff game at Rush-Henrietta on Nov. 14.
Brighton, crowned the 2025 Section V Class A1 champion last week, advanced to the Class A state tournament semifinals last season.
East High/World of Inquiry defeated Brockport last week in the Section V Class A2 Final. The Eagles hoped to advance to the state tournament regional round again after they reached the 2023 state semifinals.
Player of the game
Matthew Heininger, Brighton: Running back/linebacker, a senior, failed to reach the end zone. Heininger shared the lead on his team for most tackles, but there was a list of small to big plays he made, including blocks during running plays, that helped the Bruins control the game and win.
Play of the game
Brighton led 14-7, when the East/World of Inquiry offense was on the move in the fourth quarter. A pass that might have been too high was thrown in the middle of the field, where it went off the receiver’s hands and was caught by Brighton’s Leo Hopkins.
The Bruins defensive back returned the interception 65 yards for a touchdown that put Brighton ahead by 14 points.
By the numbers
1 – Number of touchdowns scored by Brighton running back Zack Rossignol, a seven-yard run in the second half.
1 – Number of touchdowns scored by Brighton running back Clarence Bell, a 4-yard run during the first half.
28 – Yardage of a field goal kicked by Brighton senior Patrick Newcomer that gave the Bruins a 10-point lead with 1:01 remaining in the fourth quarter.
138 – Rushing yards for Brighton senior running back Zack Rossignol, a team-high, on 30 carries.
91 – Rushing yards for Brighton senior running back Justin Medina on 17 carries. Medina also had five tackles.
2 – Interceptions by Brighton senior defensive back Patrick Rohr, including one after the East/WOI offense drove to the Bruins 22-yard line.
6 – Tackles by Brighton teammates Amari Snowden and Heininger.
They said it
“If was very intense. If anyone wasn’t here, it was a team win, definitely. Everyone stepped up tonight. Some people made mistakes, but we all came together” – Brighton linebacker/running back Matthew Heininger
“I’m more happy that I get another week with my brothers, my family. I love them, practicing with them is so fun. Keep it going, I just love them” – Brighton junior defensive back Leo Hopkins, who returned an interception for a touchdown.
“He’s made big plays for us all season, and he made a big play for us tonight,” Brighton coach Stephen Lian on Leo Hopkins and the player’s key pick-six.
What’s next
For Brighton, a Class A state tournament regional or quarterfinal against McKinley, the Section VI champion, 8 p.m. Nov. 21 at All High Stadium in Buffalo.
Here is how the game unfolded:
East/WOI 7, Brighton 0
1st quarter- 7:58
Touchdown East/WOI. 37-yard pass play, Taye Brown to Legacy Taylor.
Halftime
Brighton 7, East/WOI 7
2nd quarter – 11:55
Touchdown, Brighton. 4-yard run by Clarence Bell.
Brighton 14, East/WOI 7
3rd quarter- 8:27
Touchdown, Brighton. Zachary Rossignol 7-yard run.
Brighton 14, East/WOI 7
3rd quarter- 3:09
East/WOI offense reaches the Brighton 22-yard line but turns ball over, interception by Patrick Rohr at the Brighton 5.
Brighton 21, East/WOI 14
4th quarter – 7:48
Touchdown, East/WOI. Darius Weathers returned kickoff.
Brighton 21, East/WOI 7
4th quarter – 8:00
Touchdown, Brighton. Interception returned 65 yards by Leo Hopkins.
Brighton 24, East/WOI 14
4th quarter – 1:01
Brighton senior Patrick Newcomer kicks 28-yard field goal.
Brighton 24, East/WOI 14
Final
Bruins advance to Class A state regional.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Brighton turns back East/World of Inquiry to march into state tournament
Reporting by James Johnson, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
