Locating the key to success for Riverside-Brookfield is simple: Watch what senior quarterback Braeden Novak is doing.
In the host Bulldogs’ 38-28 victory on Oct. 10 over Upstate Eight East rival Glenbard East, Novak was at his best. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound senior scored on runs of 1 and 2 yards, while also connecting with Nico Caputo on TD passes of 12 and 21 yards. Caputo also had a 4-yard TD run for the Bulldogs (7-1, 5-0).
Novak concluded with 20 carries for 133 yards while completing 11 of 16 passes for 184 yards.
“The leadership that Braeden has shown throughout the last two years is obviously the start,” R-B coach Sam Styler said. “What’s very special about Braeden is his ability to not only hurt you through the air, but now, so many teams have to start preparing for how he can run the football.
“From the look, it seems like he should be more of a pocket passer, but the way he comes downhill and the way he sees the holes and the way that he can get those yards after contact … he’s been extremely special for us in the run game. …
“Knowing that this guy can hurt you in the air, because he threw some phenomenal balls in the air (Friday) night, but when you can still put 133 yards on the ground like last night with your quarterback, that’s something that a lot of teams have to start preparing for. His first carry last night went for 69 yards and that keeps our opponents on their toes. I just think he’s done a phenomenal job commanding our offense this year.”
It’s also beneficial for R-B that Novak has someone as skilled as Caputo working alongside him. The 5-7, 155-pound senior carried 16 times for 109 yards and a TD. He also caught six passes for 81 yards and two more scores.
“Nico is one of the best all-around football players that we’ve had at R-B,” Styler said. “And he’s one of the best that this conference has seen in a long time. Nico has the ability obviously to hurt you as a route runner on the outside, but his vision when we put him in the backfield is extremely special.
“He’s got great speed, great vision and great awareness. He’s extremely shifty and he does run extremely hard for his size. If you look at the amount of missed tackles and broken tackles and yards after contact, it’s something special. Nico is one of the smartest football players that we’ve had. … He’s a complete football player and we’re extremely blessed to have him.”
With a win at Glenbard South this Friday night, R-B would win its first outright conference title in football since 2009. A loss would mean the Bulldogs have to share the league championship.
“That’s 100% our goal from the beginning of the season … winning the conference. We were so close last year and it came down to that final field-goal against Glenbard East and that left a bad taste in our mouths.
“This is something that we’ve really been striving for all season and now we know that it’s right there at our fingertips. We have to go out there and grab it.”