Once is nice. Twice is better. And more difficult, according to two central figures on Brighton’s now two-time champion football team.
The Bruins can make such a comparison now, after defeating Webster Schroeder 30-20 in Section V’s Class A-1 final on Friday at the College at Brockport. It’s Brighton’s second consecutive championship win, a stunning feat considering the program’s lack of titles prior to 2024.
“It’s really, really hard to win that first one. But defending it is a whole different challenge,” Brighton coach Stephen Lian said. “That was something we struggled with this year, especially with such a young team.”
Senior linebacker Amari Snowden agrees. “Everyone is out for you,” he said. “There’s a bigger target. But it feels so good.”
Toward the end of the regular season, it looked as though Brighton’s championship run was one-and-done. The Bruins dropped two of their last three regular season games, 22-0 to Hilton and 31-21 to section final opponent Webster Schroeder.
Sometimes, redemption can prove elusive. But the Bruins got a shot at theirs, and took advantage.
“If we don’t take those losses, I don’t know that we make this run,” Lian said. “The players didn’t feel like the sky was falling when we lost a game or two. It was an opportunity to learn and fix it. I told them, in life you don’t get a lot of second chances but they got this one. They embraced it.”
How Brighton defeated Webster Schroeder
The teams’ opening possessions were polar opposite. Up first with the ball was Schroeder. The Warriors had a quick three-and-out. Brighton countered with a double-digit-play drive, capped by Leo Hopkins’ touchdown run.
Schroeder’s second drive ended worse than the first. Content to punt the ball away after another three-and-out, the snap from Schroeder’s own 24-yard line skied over the punter’s head into the end zone for a safety. The ensuing kick was then returned for a touchdown by Brighton’s Clarence Bell.
That accounted for nine points in about 10 seconds for the Bruins, and a 16-0 lead.
Schroeder’s third drive was more successful, in a sense, as the Warriors’ were able to push deep into Brighton’s territory after a few first downs. However, four straight runs inside the Bruins’ 5 failed to cross the goal line.
In the second half, Schroeder’s offense was jumpstarted by an unexpected source: Backup quarterback Daniel Hilfiker, who replaced injured starter Kalin Watkins for the Warriors’ first drive of the third quarter.
After an overthrow on first down and a near-interception on second down, Hilfiker completed a 10-yard pass on third. A few plays later, Hilfiker connected with Anthony Amico for a 44-yard score.
It was the duo’s first of three touchdown connections in the game.
“Give credit to their players and their coaching staff. They made some adjustments and made it hard on us,” Lian said. “We played against (Hilfiker) last year and knew he brought something different than Watkins. He’s good, and has a quick trigger. Our kids were resilient and made plays when we needed to.”
Despite Schroeder’s suddenly-explosive offense, Brighton kept its opponent at arm’s length. Hilfiker’s second touchdown pass trimmed Brighton’s lead to 16-12 late in the third quarter, but the Bruins answered with a score of their own on Ethan Bialaszewski’s 9-yard pass to Hopkins.
Hopkins hauled in an interception on Schroeder’s next possession. That was the dagger.
Linebacker duo stars for Brighton
The way Matthew Heininger ran the football on Brighton’s final touchdown drive, it’s a wonder he doesn’t receive more touches. The senior, a do-it-all linebacker, bullied his way to the end zone with three consecutive carries, the last a 1-yard touchdown run.
That sequence of plays, part of a 68-yard, nine-tackle game, helped Heininger capture the final’s MVP nod. To Brighton, his value extends well beyond a single game.
“He’s the greatest player in the history of this program, the history of this school,” Lian said.
And maybe the most prescient. Earlier Friday, Lian exchanged texts with his all-star linebacker, who promised another game.
“He said, ‘We’re not done,'” Lian said. “When he texted that, I messaged the rest of the coaches and told them we were gonna win tonight. Because Matt said we’re not done.”
Heininger is ever-present for Brighton. His linebacking partner, less so.
Amari Snowden was a major reason why Brighton reached last year’s Class A final, scoring two touchdowns — including the winner in the final minutes — of the Bruins’ semifinal win against Monroe.
He was largely absent from the ensuing championship game against Canandaigua, however, after suffering a knee injury on the first offensive series. As Brighton cruised to a 28-7 win, Snowden was forced to watch from the sideline.
The comeback road from ACL reconstruction was winding. Snowden missed the start of this season, then returned for a few games, only to fracture his wrist on Oct. 3 against Hilton. Coaches feared he was lost for the rest of the season … again.
With a brace on his knee and a large cast on his left arm, Snowden resembles a bionic man. His play, machine-like.
His sack on the first play of Schroeder’s second drive helped force an eventual punt. And when Schroeder had a fourth-and-goal in the final minute of the first half, Snowden teamed with Zahmar Tookes to stuff the rush attempt.
“It was electric,” Snowden said.
It’s no coincidence that Brighton is allowing only 13 points against in sectional play compared to 16 in the regular season, despite the stiffer competition.
“It’s because he’s back in the lineup,” Lian said. “When you have two linebackers like Matt and Duke (Snowden’s nickname), that’s a defensive coordinator’s dream. We’re lucky to have them.”
Up next
Brighton will face East High/World of Inquiry in Section V’s Class A regional qualifier. The Eagles, top seed in the Class A-2 tournament, defeated Brockport 34-7 in Friday’s other championship game. The teams have not met since the 2023 Class A section final, when the Eagles defeated the Bruins 25-8.
Section V Class A-1 championship postgame awards
Here is how the game unfolded:
Brighton vs. Webster Schroeder: Game start
Brighton kicks off, and Schroeder will start with the first possession.
Brighton 7, Webster Schroeder 0: 2 minutes left in the 1st quarter
After Schroeder goes three-and-out to open the game, Brighton answers with an extensive drive that ends with a 4-yard run from Leo Hopkins.
Brighton 7, Webster Schroeder 0: End of the 1st quarter
Schroeder’s second drive set back on a sack by Amari Snowden on first down. Warriors will punt on fourth-and-long to start the 2nd quarter.
Brighton 9, Webster 0: 7 minutes left in the 2nd quarter
Schroeder tries to punt on a fourth-and-medium from its own 24, but a high snap leads to a safety for Brighton.
Brighton 16, Webster Schroeder 0: 6:50 left in the 2nd quarter
Brighton scores 9 points in about 10 seconds. After the safety, the Bruins’ Clarence Bell returns the ensuing kick about 60 yards for a touchdown.
Brighton 16, Webster Schroeder 0: Halftime
Schroeder had four goal-to-go plays from inside Brighton’s 5-yard line, but the Bruins’ defense forces a turnover on downs. On fourth down, a QB keeper from Schroeder’s Kalin Watkins was stuffed by Brighton’s Amari Snowden and Zahmar Tookes.
Brighton 16, Webster Schroeder 0: 10:24 left in the 3rd quarter
Despite excellent field position at its own 44 to start the half, Brighton goes three-and-out and will punt it away.
Brighton 16, Webster Schroeder 6: 9:33 left in the 3rd quarter
Daniel Hilfiker now in at quarterback for the Warriors, and he leads a scoring drive. A 44-yard pass to Anthony Amico has Schroeder on the board.
Brighton 16, Webster Schroeder 12: 55 seconds left in the 3rd quarter
Warriors continue to chip away. Hilfiker and Amico hook up for the second time, on a 15-yard score.
Brighton 23, Webster Schroeder 12: 9 minutes left in the 4th quarter
Bruins answer with a huge touchdown. Ethan Bialaszewski rolls out and throws a 9-yarder to Leo Hopkins.
Brighton 30, Webster Schroeder 12: 4:24 left in the 4th quarter
Brighton gives it to Matthew Heininger three straight plays, and the senior forces his way into the end zone.
Brighton 30, Webster Schroeder 20: Final
Schroeder manages a late touchdown on Amico’s third of the night, but Brighton closes out the game with a couple first downs. This is the Bruins’ second straight Section V title.
This story will be updated.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Brighton doubles up: Bruins beat Webster Schroeder for second straight football title
Reporting by Justin Ritzel, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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