Brighton vs Whitesboro updates from the NY state football playoffs

Posted by Admin November 29, 2024 Football

Brighton became Section V football champions for the first time in team history and the Bruins didn’t stop there.

They ran away to a 48-14 win over Sweet Home last week to advance to the state semifinals.

On Friday, they take on Whitesboro in a clash of two unbeaten teams.

Follow below for updates throughout the game.

Gavin Parks punches it in from 3 yards out with 2:05 left. Hopkins and Sturrup connected on a 42-yard pass to the 3 to set up the Bruins TD.

Fullback John Paul DeSantis joins the party. He punched it in from 2 yards out with 3:18 left. Whitesboro used almost nine minutes of clock on that possession.

Hopkins and Sturrup connect again for another Bruins touchdown. Whitesboro scored 35 straight before that. 11:54 remaining.

Brighton engineering a red zone drive as the quarter ends.

Brighton forces a punt for the first time tonight with about 3 minutes left in the third. A good punt return and the Bruins will ebgin from the Whitesboro 48.

Whitesboro begins on on their 34 yard line.

These camera angles NFHS Network is using are interesting to say the least. Idk what they’re doing.

McDonald scores his third touchdown from 6 yards out with 6:59 left in the third.

Dominant performance by coach Curtis Schmidt’s Whitesboro Warriors. I was in Section III when Schmidt first became head coach in 2019, following a legacy Tom Schoen built for decades. Whitesboro lost in the NYS Class A final last year, and are frequently in the state tournament.

And for the record, Brighton running back Gavin Parks did not get to 2,000 yards because they’ve blown everyone out. Parks often sat the last quarter or two of games this season. He would be closer to 3,000 career rushing yards otherwise.

I have Parks with 48 rushing yards. I’ve praised Brighton front line on both sides all season. A big reason why I voted them No. 1 on our large schools poll the last few weeks of the regular season. But through two quarters here, Whitesboro’s front has done everything they’ve wanted to.

Ferguson has 160 rushing yards for Whitesboro. McDonald has 110 rushing yards and 37 receiving yards on three catches, two receptions for 32 yards came on their final touchdown drive of the half.

Ferguson scores from 7 yards out. He had 160 rushing yards and 3 TDs by my count. Another 64 passing.

McDonald scored on a crazy 41-yard run that was nearly a turnover. The Whitesboro running broke free and Sturrup dove at him at the 1, punching the ball out right before McDonald crossed the goal line.

The ball bounced toward the back of the end zone and nearly went out of bounds for a touchback and Brighton possession, but McDonald grabbed the ball before it went out. Touchdown Whitesboro.

Ferguson scored on a 1-yard QB sneak. The broadcast seems suprised at the Warriors’ offense leaning on “QB power” run plays, but if you’re following along here, that’s what they do.

Whitesboro driving in Brighton territory after that interception.

Whitesboro’s Jamir Brooks intercepts a Brighton pass from Grady Hopkin at the Warriors 35 with 1:06 remaining in the first.

Whitesboro regains the lead quickly, 14-7, 2:00 first quarter. Connor McDonald burst of speed 50 yards up the sideline for the touchdown.

Whitesboro has huge guys on their line. They are blocking so well that the lead blocking pulling guard didn’t have to engage with anyone for 10 yards or so.

Grady Hopkin finds Wes Sturrup for a 50 yard touchdown pass to put Brighton on the board. Game tied at 7 with 3:36 remaining in the first.

TOUCHDOWN Whitesboro: QB Memphis Ferguson scored from 5 yards out. Warriors lead 7-0 with 4:18 left in the first.

Last year, Whitesboro had a GREAT QB in Kyle Meier, who’s at Dartmouth now. Meier was unstoppable against East High in the 2023 NYS semifinals. Scored an 80-yard rushing TD first play of the game. Best player I’ve seen this decade easily. This Ferguson kid looks pretty good too. He rushed for 61 yards on the drive.

Brighton turns the ball over on downs at the Whitesboro 27. Fourth and three run to Matt Heininger stopped short of the sticks. Whitesboro now driving in Brighton territory.

Brighton receives the opening kickoff. Clarence Bell IV returns the kick past midfield, but a penalty brings the ball back to Whitesboro 47.

Captains are at the 50 for the coin toss.

What time does the Brighton vs Whitesboro game start?

6 p.m. Friday at Vestal High School.

Brighton football: What to know

Record: 12-0
NY state ranking (Class A): No. 10

Whitesboro football: What to know

Record: 12-0
NY state ranking (Class A): No. 5

Brighton football photos

— Marquel Slaughter is a journalist for the Democrat and Chronicle, specializing in high school sports. He won numerous Associated Press and NYNPA awards for his work in print and broadcasting throughout his 15-year career as a reporter. Follow him @MarquelSports and X and Instagram. You can email him at mslaughter1@gannett.com.