Football: Hilton routs Webster Schroeder to capture first Section V title in 28 years

FAIRPORT — Hilton coach Rich Lipani proudly lifted the Section V Class A1 championship brick during his postgame speech.

"I'll tell you what, I've waited 28 long years to get this sucker back home," said Lipani, who surpassed 200 career wins this season.

The wait is officially over.

Through torrential downpours, Hilton running backs Jeff Broadnax and Robert Lowry combined for 356 rushing yards and four touchdowns to help their second-seeded Cadets defeat previously unbeaten Webster Schroeder 40-7 in the Section V Class A1 final Friday night.

The win marked Hilton's third championship in program history, and its first since 1994. Hilton (10-1) is now on a 10-game winning streak after avenging its Week 1 loss to Schroeder's Warriors (10-1).

"It's been a long time," Lipani said. "We've had a lot of great teams, always run into somebody who can knock us off. … This year we got knocked off by Schroeder (in Week 1). We kept working. We said, 'We're going to see them again.' And we did see them again tonight. These guys played unbelievable tonight."

More:Section V football scores for 2022 season

What's next

Hilton advances to the NYSPHSAA Far West Regionals next weekend.

Section V Class A1 award winners

Jeff Broadnax

Section V Class A1's MVP was a workhorse with 26 carries for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Broadnax was tough to tackle, deflecting defenders off his pads whenever he lowered his shoulders. His interception led to a touchdown drive.

Robert Lowry

Lowry was named Class A1's Offensive MVP after rushing 18 times for 218 yards and two touchdowns. The junior has speed to burn, on display during his 69-yard touchdown run that was part of Hilton's 23-point fourth quarter.

Karl Kuhns

Hilton's senior tackle earned Class A1's Most Outstanding Lineman award, but Kuhns and fellow linemates like Nicolas Fede and Anthony Letta easily could have been the game's MVP after dominating the line of scrimmage. Kuhns also had five tackles on defense.

Torance Washington

Webster Schroeder's senior was named Class A1's Defensive MVP after catching an interception at cornerback. On offense, Washington proved why he's one of the most dynamic receivers in Section V, doing most his damage ducking, dodging and leaping over defenders on screen passes and reverse runs. He even helped move the sticks on Kaleb Juliano's touchdown drive. Not bad for being the sole focus of Hilton's crippling defense.

Unsung heroes

Brady Quill

Hilton's junior linebacker had 10 tackles, but Quill had his nose on the ball almost every running play. Defensive backs like Luke Lockhart, Nicholas McMahon and Nicolas Castellana halted most of Schroeder's down field passing plays.

Luca Dodge

Hilton's senior kicker attributed eight points. Dodge nailed a field goal and converting all five PATs in the win.

Play of the game

Webster Schroeder lost a snap that rolled into its own end zone with less than two minutes remaining. Conner Bellanca pushed Andrew Hilfiker out of the way for Cemel Grayson to recover the fumble for a 40-7 lead. Hilton's sideline erupted as if it was the game-winning play.

Lowry's 69-yard touchdown and Bellanca's safety were honorable mentions.

They said it

Jeff Broadnax, Hilton: "Before the season even started I said to my boys, 'We've got something special.' Everybody just bought in each week, each practice. The little details … all came into play tonight, and we came out as the victor."

Zain Khan, Webster Schroeder: "I love every single one of these guys out here. ... We gave it everything we've got. It didn't go our way, but there's not another group of guys I'd rather play with. I'd do it again if I got to play these guys. We gave it our all. I gave everything I had. We just came up short."

Karl Kuhns, Hilton: The "DL" decals on Hilton's helmets are for the late Dick LeBeau. "That's who our turf's named after. He passed away this winter. We decided to do it for him. He's a great friend of coach Lipani's and a great mentor to everyone."

Robert Lowry, Hilton: Is this as good as it gets for you and Broadnax tonight? "No. We got next week."

Coach Mike Stumpf, Webster Schroeder: "The scoreboard tonight didn't show it, but we're a talented team. The kids are really good teammates. … Heck of a lot of respect to (Hilton). Because of them, we struggled tonight."

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Hilton routs Webster Schroeder for first football title in 28 years