First, Brighton offensive linemen walked to their positions on the field and bent over to get into their stances.
Then, the linemen would get busy clearing lanes for Zack Rossignol and other Brighton running backs to carry the Bruins into the Class A high school football semifinals for the second season in a row.
Rossignol and Justin Medina each scored two touchdowns during a big night of running the ball at All High Stadium in Buffalo, as Brighton defeated Buffalo McKinley 42-14 in a state tournament quarterfinal Nov. 21.
Player of the game
Zack Rossignol, Brighton: The lead Bruins running back, a junior who finished with 186 rushing yards on 18 carries, including two touchdowns.
Play of the game
The second play from scrimmage after the Brighton Bruins received the opening kickoff. Zack Rossignol ran through the Buffalo McKinley defense on his way to a 46-yard run for a touchdown.
By the numbers
2 – Rushing touchdowns for Brighton senior Justin Medina, as he finished with 51 yards on 14 carries.
2 – Touchdown passes for Brighton sophomore quarterback Ethan Bialaszewski, a 22-yard play to Leo Hopkins and a 52-yard play to Patrick Rohr. Both scoring plays began with fake handoffs. Bialaszewski completed 4 of 7 pass attempts for 118 yards.
1 – Interception by Brighton defensive back Patrick Rohr. Anthony Julian, a junior defensive back in the Brighton defense, also intercepted a pass.
1 – Fumble forced fumble by Brighton defensive lineman Zahmar Tookes, a junior who also had two sacks among seven tackles.
7 – The number of tackles by Brighton linebacker Amari Snowden.
37 – Yardage gained by Brighton senior Matthew Heininger on a reception. He also had five tackles.
Here is how the game unfolded:
Touchdown, Buffalo McKinley, with 2-point conversion run. Anthony Moore III crosses the goal line at the end of a run. Jamere Hill takes kickoff from team’s 32-yard line to Brighton 14-yard line to set up the score.
Touchdown, Brighton. A second scoring run by Zack Rossignol.
Brighton defensive back Patrick Rohr collects his fourth interception of the season, returns to Buffalo McKinley 25-yard line.
Touchdown, Brighton. Justin Medina four-yard run.
Brighton Bruins have the ball at the Buffalo McKinley 4-yard line.
Buffalo McKinley turns the ball over on downs at the Brighton 39-yard line.
Touchdown, Brighton. Justin Medina four-yard run finishes off a drive that was more than five minutes.
Bruins passed their way downfield, but McKinley Macks blocked a 34-yard field goal attempt on final play of the first half.
Touchdown, McKinley. Kalaugn Ford 14-yard pass to Marcus Daniels. Conversion run failed.
Touchdown, Brighton. Pass play 52 yards finished off by Patrick Rohr. Ethan Bialaszewski threw his second touchdown pass.
Touchdown, Brighton. Leo Hopkins 22-yard reception of a pass from Ethan Bialaszewski.
McKinley offense turns the ball over on downs at the Brighton 32-yard line.
Touchdown, Brighton. Bruins need just two plays to score. Zack Rossignol breaks away during a 46-yard run.
Brighton football photos
