Try to take away the run against Riverside-Brookfield and it can put the ball in the air without a problem. Having a high-quality veteran quarterback like Braeden Novak allows that.
If an opposing defense decides that stopping Novak is their choice, the Bulldogs can run the ball effectively with a strong group of blockers up front.
Both components were on display for R-B in its 63-21 victory over visiting Ridgewood in an Upstate Eight East matchup on Sept. 11.
“Offensively, we were able to execute at a high clip all day,” Bulldogs coach Sam Styler said. “Defensively, we able to shut them down early on. They scored late in the first half and then they put a couple of touchdowns up on us in the second half but overall, the guys on both sides of the ball did what they needed to do to get the job done.”
After losing to Sandburg in the season opener, R-B’s offense has found its groove, scoring 152 points in three games. Against Ridgewood, Novak rushed for a TD while Nico Caputo scored twice, including a 90-yard kickoff return.
“Started Week 1 off with a tough game against Sandburg and showed that we were in that game for a lot of it,” Styler said. “They got two touchdowns late and that sealed the deal for them. But it proved to us that we can play with anybody as long as we play our style of football.
“The offense has been humming at a clip all summer long and now all season. We have so many weapons and we see that leadership from the offensive line and we also see that leadership from Braeden and Nico and a bunch of other guys on the offensive side of the ball.”
Joining in the fun against Ridgewood were Tyler Schultz, who scored on a 21-yard run, and Gideon Bradford, who scored on a 5-yard run for R-B (3-1, 2-0).
Andrew 34, Stagg 6: Declan Murphy scored on runs of 1 and 2 yards for host Andrew (2-2, 1-1) in the SouthWest Suburban. Adrian Garcia scored on an 8-yard run while also catching a 17-yard pass from Jimmy Reilly. Reilly added a TD pass to Luke Lewandowski. Stagg is 1-3, 0-2.
Homewood-Flossmoor 35, Sandburg 13: Sean Ruisz scored on a 5-yard run and threw a 19-yard TD pass to Lucas Matykiewicz for visiting Sandburg (3-1, 0-1) in the SouthWest Suburban.
Joliet Catholic 21, St. Laurence 10: Oliver Odeh (10 of 14, 127 yards) threw a 24-yard TD pass to Evan Panther (2 catches, 53 yards) for visiting St. Laurence (0-4, 0-1) in the Catholic League White.
Loyola 27, Brother Rice 24: Rocco Galasso (9 of 21, 122 yards) connected with Lucas Strang on a 48-yard TD toss and Sam Holcomb (9 of 15, 144 yards) threw TDs to Anthony Cartolano (80 yards) and Jahon Edwards for visiting Brother Rice (2-2, 0-1) in the Catholic League Blue.
Lyons 38, Hinsdale Central 28: EJ Kuhlman rushed 23 times for 157 yards and an 81-yard TD for Lyons (4-0, 1-0) in the West Suburban Silver. Brendan McCabe (9 carries, 130 yards) added scoring runs of 73 yards and 23 yards. McCabe (12 of 14, 220 yards) also threw a 69-yard TD strike to Tyler Stamm and an 85-yard TD pass to Lincoln DeMauro.
Montini 47, Nazareth 42: JJ Chapman threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns for Nazareth (1-3, 0-1) in the Catholic League Green.
Oak Lawn 62, Argo 7: Jayden Schlosser (12 carries, 107 yards) scored on runs of 9, 2, 10 and 29 yards for host Oak Lawn (4-0, 2-0) in the South Suburban Red. Mekhi Dawson (10 carries, 66 yards) added scoring runs of 5 and 3 yards for the Spartans, while Angel Chiquito pulled in an 18-yard TD pass from Danny Strelow and Kamari Polk chipped in a 29-yard scoring run. Defensively, Justin Lopez scored on a 24-yard fumble recovery. Verdell Walls scored on a 73-yard run for Argo (0-4, 0-1).