SECTION 4 FOOTBALL: HORSEHEADS TOPS VESTAL TO WRAP UP DIVISION TITLE (October 2, 2026)

Southern Tier Sports Report
VESTAL — The Horseheads football team went on the road and picked up a 51-28 win over Vestal to wrap up the division title on Friday night.

Back-to-back weeks the Blue Raiders topped Union-Endicott and Vestal and now the playoffs will run through Horseheads as they have home field for sectionals.

“It takes some years off your life, the stress (of the two games back-to-back), I’m happy to get through it,” Horseheads coach Kevin Hillman said. “Then, back to work. Half the schedule to work through still. A lot to clean up on both sides of the ball. We had some guys out this week, some JV kids come up. Ben Peffer, Gio (Goodrich). Puffer scored a touchdown tonight. Great team effort.

“Shoutout to the D line, the second half they made some plays. (Connor) Warrick, (Braedyn) Goodridge, Gio,  (Zachary) Kaiser and the offensive line, they stepped up in the second half. Fourth quarter both sides of the ball, both lines did an awesome job.”

Getting the division wrapped up is special for Horseheads.

“It’s huge,” Hillman said. “Fortunate enough to have it somewhat over ear. WE have some bumps and bruises and can rest them a little. It’s a big win. Obviously still a lot of work to do and we have go to and fight all the way to the end.”

The game changed on a special teams play for the Blue Raiders.

In the third quarter Horseheads found themselves down 21-20 and were punting on fourth and long. Quarterback Lyncoln Bennett was punting and saw no one covering Jahvier Meisner. Bennett hit Meisner for a first down and Horseheads scored and then pulled away.

“Feels great,” Hillman said. “Kids worked hard, really wanted this one. Hats off to Vestal. They played their tails off.

Bryce Thomas had 23 carries for 287 yards and four touchdowns to help lead the Horseheads offense. Thomas had a long run of 74 yards for a touchdown. This comes one week after he had a late fumble in a loss against Waverly. 

“Something I was talking to the coaches about is how many times in the third and fourth quarter he breaks big runs,” Hillman said. “That’s when he excels. He had a couple in this one. He just wears you down and the end of the game he makes a big run, a big play. I think last week really motivated him. He had that fumble late in that game and I think he was really motivated today.”

Bennett threw for 183 yards and two touchdowns in the game.

“He’s been great, you allow him to make some plays,” Hillman said. “ON that punt play, a quarterback being able to be there and make that play. Him running the ball today. (Jack) Patchett, Johnny and (Bradyn) Hourihan and having Jaxson Burchard back. It’s the first game he’s played in over a year. He got in and had a huge impact.”

Burchard had five grabs for 88 yards in his first game back and added nine tackles on defense. 

Patchett had a 55-yard touchdown catch from Bennett and Peffer had a 14-yard touchdown catch. Mesiner had the 21-yard catch on the punt play and Thomas and Elijah Miller each had catches. 

Burchard also ran for 32 yards and a touchdown and Bennett ran for 13 yards. 

Miller had two sacks and 12 tackles for Horseheads and Thomas had eight tackles. Patchett had an interception for the second straight game. 

Warrick had two sacks and six tackles for Horseheads. 
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STSR FILE PHOTO. 

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