BROCKPORT, NY — Brockport struck first, led after the first quarter, and hung with undefeated Cortland for a half. But a 28-point second-half surge from the Red Dragons turned a 21-10 halftime game into a 42-24 final on Saturday afternoon at Bob Boozer Field. Cortland improves to 9-0 (7-0) and claims the 2026 Empire 8 Title, while Brockport falls to 7-2 (5-1).
Fast Start for the Golden Eagles
Brockport won the toss, took the opening kickoff, and marched right down the field.
After Cortland forced a punt on the opening drive, Brockport got the ball back at the Cortland 10 after an interception by Austyn Gollnitz. Two plays later, quarterback Zymier Jackson found Xavier Smith for a 6-yard touchdown to make it 7-0 with 8:51 left in the first quarter.
Cortland answered quickly — Mike Rescigno scored on a 20-yard run — but Brockport retook the lead on its next possession. A 65-yard, 11-play drive ended with Christopher Bascetta drilling a 27-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead with 9 seconds left in the quarter.
It was the last lead Brockport would hold.
Cortland Takes Control Before Halftime
The second quarter belonged to the Red Dragons' big-play offense.
With 2:01 left in the half, Rescigno hit Jacque LaPrairie for a 61-yard touchdown on a 2-play, 51-yard drive to put Cortland up 14-10.
Then, after forcing a Brockport turnover on downs near midfield, Cortland needed just 32 seconds to strike again. Rescigno found Jayson Zeva for a 30-yard score with 33 seconds left, sending Cortland into halftime up 21-10.
Second Half Surge
Cortland came out of the locker room and ended any doubt quickly.
On the first drive of the third quarter, Rescigno kept it himself and raced 60 yards for a touchdown, making it 28-10 just 44 seconds into the half.
Cortland added another score on its next drive — Rescigno to Joe Iadevaio for 33 yards — to push the lead to 35-10.
Brockport refused to fold. Jackson engineered a 12-play, 79-yard drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown run from Allan Paul to cut it to 35-17 with 3:24 left in the third.
But Cortland answered the punch again. Early in the fourth, Sonny Mayo intercepted a Brockport pass and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown, making it 42-17.
Brockport got one more late. Backup quarterback Ben Gocella led an 11-play, 92-yard drive that ended with Paul's second touchdown of the day — a 1-yard run with 2:49 left — for the final 42-24 margin.
By The Numbers
Total Offense: Cortland 538 yards, Brockport 295 yards
Rushing: Cortland 348 yards on 46 attempts (7.6 avg), Brockport 125 yards on 33 attempts (3.8 avg)
Passing: Cortland 190 yards, Brockport 170 yards
Time of Possession: Cortland 31:55, Brockport 28:05
Turnovers: Brockport threw 1 interception, Cortland threw 2 interceptions
Standouts for Brockport
For Cortland, Rescigno was the difference-maker: 8-of-17 for 190 yards and 3 TDs through the air, plus 18 carries for 196 yards and 2 more scores on the ground — 386 total yards and 5 total touchdowns.
What's Next
Brockport will look to bounce back and finish the regular season strong after dropping its second game of the year. The Golden Eagles will travel to Utica next week for the final contest of the regular season. Game is set for a 12pm kickoff.
