Riverside Brookfield High School senior football player Warren Mason still wears a knee brace but only as a precaution after the MCL knee sprain that kept him from playing in the 2024 season finale.
“It was brutal and I’m back to 100 percent now,” Mason said.
The final memories of 2024 only serve as motivation especially after the Bulldogs finished 4-5 and came one victory from being eligible for their fourth consecutive trip to the IHSA state playoffs.
In their debut in the Upstate Eight Conference East Division, the Bulldogs were 2-4 to share fifth place. They lost to three of the four playoff-qualifying teams but also surprised Glenbard South 26-21 in Week 6.
They open this season Friday at playoff qualifier Niles West (5-5 in 2024), which they beat 34-13 in last year’s opener.
“I think we all look at each other as brothers. We all have a strong connection. It’s fight or die for each other,” Mason said. “Obviously winning is big but making every game look smooth is the biggest. To me, if you can make every play look smoother, every game look smooth, you can get things to go how you want. That’s a successful season.”
Riverside-Brookfield’s Warren Mason (5) pulls down an interception against Argo during a preseason scrimmage game Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s receiver Warren Mason (5) runs with the bal after his catch against Argo during a preseason scrimmage game Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield ‘s lineman Damian Nieves (55) blocks against Argo during a preseason scrimmage game Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s linebacker Jaden Barrett (23) pursues the Argo running back during a preseason scrimmage game Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
The Bulldogs return 16 full- or part-time starters (8 offense, 7 defense, 1 special teams). That includes All-UEC selections Mason, senior wide receiver Xavier Mrozik-DeJesus and junior quarterback Giancarlo Garcia, one of six returning sophomores on varsity in 2024. Senior lineman Damian Nieves and senior safety Oscar Aguirre received honorable mention. Mason, Jaden Barrett, Mrozik-DeJesus, Nieves and Ben Biskupic are senior team captains. New to the program, Biskupic was voted on by teammates.
“I just want to make sure we have greater team success,” Mrozik-DeJesus said. “(All-UEC) was a great feat and I’m very glad that I got it, but it means nothing if we don’t make the playoffs. We’re all going to keep working to make that playoff goal and maybe get all-conference again.”
The dedication showed during offseason work. RBHS head coach Sam Styler said several team records were achieved in weight training. The coaching staff also met regularly in the offseason. Returning assistants Brad Vojcak (offensive coordinator), Keith Miller (offensive line), John Evans (defensive line) and Nick Santos (running backs) are joined by Hunter Hughes (wide receivers/quarterback) from the junior varsity and program newcomers Marcus Griffin (defensive coordinator), Michael Love (cornerbacks) and Eric Kostiuk (offensive line). Styler coaches special teams and defensive backs.
“Obviously the season didn’t go the way that we wanted to [missing playoffs] but I think our senior leaders are excited. They’re hungry,” Styler said.
“I think just the amount of guys coming back [is a strength]. They’ve set a great tone of the younger guys understanding now how this grind is. Being able to translate that down, we’re seeing a much stronger culture in the program. Our coaching has been phenomenal. I can’t say enough about the amount of work they do.”
Last season, Garcia passed for 1,468 yards and 12 touchdowns with a 97.7 passer rating and rushed for a team-high 447 yards with 7 TDs. Xavier-Mrozik was the top receiver with 36 catches for 592 yards and 5 TDs.
Also returning are senior running back Jacob Retana (79 rushes, 281 yards, 3 TDs) and junior Nico Caputo (21 catches, 210 yards, TD), Mason (10 catches, 178 yards, 3 TDs) and senior Jayden Karas (8 catches, 119 yards) as receivers. Senior Joey Campagna and junior Joaquin Jara return on the offensive line.
Nieves, an offensive line starter the past two years, moves primarily to the defensive line. Outside linebacker Mason was second with 61 total tackles and had a team-high three interceptions with a blocked field goal. Other defensive returnees are Aguirre, junior lineman Andrew Olivares (3.5 sacks), junior inside linebacker Bryan Rimpila, senior cornerback John Evans, Jr. and senior safety Michael Kallas.
Senior punter/placekicker John Bielobradek also returns.
Barrett again will contribute at linebacker and slot receiver. Key newcomers include junior linebacker Anthony Lembcke and sophomore offensive lineman Charlie Jicha.
“We’re more juiced, energetic, happy to be here,” Barrett said. “Compared to last year, we’re having a lot more fun, finding ourselves a lot better, finding a better identity.”
The 6-foot-1 Biskupic, already used to success in boys basketball, will contribute at defensive end. He finally was persuaded by Vojack to join football.
“I’m trying to get to the quarterback, contain, stop the run. I’m learning from guys like Damian. He’s been a great leader,” Biskupic said.
“I joined the program to win. The sports I play here are winners so that’s just the mentality I bring. The postseason’s the main thing but when we get there we don’t want to be like, ‘Oh, the job’s finished.’”