Junior safety Warren Mason had a memorable first varsity defensive series for the Riverside Brookfield High School football team Friday.
Even with an interception, the best was yet to come for him and the Bulldogs in the season opener.
Mason later returned his second interception 19 yards for a touchdown as the Bulldogs rolled to a 34-13 victory over visiting Niles West.
“That was awesome, an awesome feeling,” Mason said.
“I bobbled it. Honestly, I saw the ball. I didn’t think (the quarterback) was going to throw it because I was right there. It just ended up in my hands and it was good.”
The pick-six TD returns in the third quarter by Mason and senior middle linebacker Max Strong — just two defensive plays apart – completed the Bulldogs’ scoring for a 34-7 advantage after only leading 14-7 at the half.
The offense scored TDs on their first and third possessions with a 30-yard run
by junior Jacob Retana and 34-yard screen-pass run by junior Xavier Mrozik-DeJesus from sophomore quarterback Giancarlo Garcia.
Riverside-Brookfield’s Giancarlo Garcia (1) sits in the pocket and looks to attempt a pass against Niles West Friday, August 30, 2024 in Brookfield. | Steve Johnston. 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Maxwell Strong (13) tackles Niles West’s Leon Zakharia (4) Friday, August 30, 2024 in Brookfield. | Steve Johnston. 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Nicholas Caputo (16) picks up yards after his catch against Niles West Friday, August 30, 2024 in Brookfield. | Steve Johnston. 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Warren Mason (5) pulls in an interception against Niles West Friday, August 30, 2024 in Brookfield. | Steve Johnston.
The Bulldogs also scored on their opening possession of the second half with a 23-yard reverse run by junior Jayden Karas on fourth-and-4.
Six offensive plays of at least 20 yards – many by varsity newcomers – kept RBHS in control.
“Our defense came out firing. We had some great plays across the board. I’m so proud of every single one of these guys, especially a lot of them in their first varsity game,” RBHS coach Sam Styler said.
“I know a lot of guys that felt young, just didn’t know if they were ready to answer the call. I think they answered that question tonight.”
The Bulldogs return six starters from last year’s 7-3 Class 6A playoff team. Strong, one of them, savored his 22-yard TD interception return.
“I was like, ‘This guy’s coming in the curl behind me.’ I ain’t fast by any means, but I took off. That’s my first pick ever,” Strong said.
“I’d say we learned [Friday] it isn’t over. We have to keep getting better and better.”
The defense allowed just 181 yards – 66 on a second-quarter TD pass and 61 on the fourth-quarter scoring drive. Mason and Strong each had eight total tackles, Bryan Rimpila seven and Oscar Aguirre six.
As big as Mason’s first interception at the Niles West 49-yard line, the Bulldogs’ first drive continued thanks to a 20-yard screen run by sophomore Nicholas Caputo on third-and-19 to the Wolves’ 38. Retana scored three plays later.
Mrozik-DeJesus scored on third-and-14 after three plays earlier catching a 38-yard bomb from Garcia to the 30.
Mrozik-DeJesus, a transfer last year from Fenwick, had three catches for 77 yards. Garcia was 7-for-13 passing for 120 yards.
LTHS football
Senior running back Danny Carroll was especially anxious for the start of the Lyons Township High School football season Friday.
The returning starter missed 4 1/2 games in 2023 because of injury, including both playoff games.
“It was awesome being able to carry the ball again,” Carroll said.
Carroll wasted little time making an impact. Carroll scored a touchdown on the Lions’ opening drive and collected three TDs and 144 yards on 27 carries as the Lions roared past Prospect 38-21 in Western Springs.
Lyons Township’s Danny Carroll (7) scores a touchdown giving the Lions a 28-14 lead against Prospect Friday, August 30, 2024 in Western Springs. | Steve Johnston 
Lyons Township’s quarterback Dom Pisciotti (12) attempts a pass against Prospect Friday, August 30, 2024 in Western Springs. | Steve Johnston 
Lyons Township’s Danny Carroll (7) tries to go up and over his line to gain yardage against Prospect Friday, August 30, 2024 in Western Springs. | Steve Johnston 
Lyons Township’s Pat Cheney (8) takes down Prospect’s quarterback Jack Skoog (14) as he releases his pass Friday, August 30, 2024 in Western Springs. | Steve Johnston 
Lyons Township’s Danny Kienzle (96) gets to Prospect’s quarterback Jack Skoog (14) for a sack Friday, August 30, 2024 in Western Springs. | Steve Johnston
In the 2023 opener, Carroll rushed for 77 yards, when the Lions lost 24-10 at Prospect.
“That [loss] stuck with us the whole season last year. Our whole goal was coming back and beating that team Week 1 and that’s what we did,” Carroll said.
“It honestly felt great. The O-line was blocking. The receivers were blocking. Our quarterback [senior Dom Pisciotti] stayed calm and collected the whole time. Everyone was just motivated and ready to go.”
Junior starting linebacker Pat Cheney rushed for the Lions’ other two touchdowns as tailback in the I-formation.
Senior Mack Long had two interceptions in his varsity defensive debut and caught three second-half passes for 77 yards from Pisciotti (9-for-17, 151 yards) in his first varsity start.
“It was just sick, seeing the crowd get all amped up. It was a perfect way to start the season,” Long said.
The Lions scored on their first three possessions for a 21-0 first-quarter lead and two of their first three in the second half after the Knights closed to 21-14 at halftime and 28-21 in the third quarter. Senior AJ Vavrik kicked a 32-yard field goal with 9:13 left.
“[Starting strong] was a big emphasis for our coaches in the offseason. We implemented a good strategy, but most importantly, our players worked so hard in the offseason and pre-season. That’s why we felt we beat (Prospect),” LTHS coach Jon Beutjer said.
“I was proud that we came out really fast and strong and physical. We had a great start but some adversity in the second quarter where the momentum started to shift a little bit. But our kids calmed down. And we took care of business in the second half.”
Melvin Tate contributed to this story