Riverside Brookfield High School senior defensive back/safety Jayden Lee is noticeable on the football field. This season he’s switched to uniform No. 22 to honor his father, Timothy, a former football standout at the now-closed St. Joseph High School in Westchester. There’s also Lee’s new pink spikes, the color associated with breast cancer awareness month every October.
“But I also feel I like the color. It stands out,” Lee said. “Last year, I had all blue. I don’t know. It’s different.”
Then there’s Lee’s tenacious play and leadership as a returning starter. While the Bulldogs’ prolific offense rolled along as usual Friday in a 48-6 victory at Elmwood Park to remain unbeaten in the Upstate Eight Conference East Division, the defense had reason to boast, too.
RBHS (5-1, 4-0 in UEC East) shut out the Tigers in the first half with 95 yards of offense while building a 42-0 lead with TDs on the first six possessions. Elmwood Park (1-5, 0-3) scored 42 points the previous week against West Chicago and had at least two TDs in two other losses.
“It’s just a sign of how hard we play,” Lee said. “No matter what, we just continue playing hard, but going fast at the start really improves our mood.”
Sophomore Griffin Wojtulewicz and freshman Carlos Marcano contributed fumble recoveries on kickoff returns and sophomore Dean Mauban had an interception at the 2-yard line. In the second half, Julian Jimenez had two sacks for a combined 28 yards.
“I thought (defensively) we played more sound in the secondary and up front we’ve got a lot of great, physical athletes. We knew we had to come out and execute,” RBHS coach Sam Styler said. “This week of practice was really about the defense hasn’t played our best football so far this year. Definitely a good morale boost for us but we know there’s still a lot of work left to be done.”
Quarterback Braeden Novak was among many starters who only played in the first half. Novak still collected 123 passing yards with TDs of 30 yards to Tim Giacomelli and 23 yards to James Organ and also had a 4-yard TD run. Nico Caputo (1 yard), Lorenzo Burke (4 yards) and Tyler Schultz (6 yards) also had TD runs. In the fourth quarter, reserve quarterback Sean Ruckman added a 31-yard TD run with help from receiver Abraham Murphy’s downfield block.
Lee was among leading tacklers in the first half with a tackle for loss.
“He’s obviously a phenomenal athlete and guy that flies around the ball, extremely physical,” Styler said. “We’re just extremely blessed to have him back there, his great leadership.”
Attire aside, Lee feels his biggest changes this season are improved skills and mindset.
“I feel like I’m more patient, more aggressive,” Lee said. “I feel like our chemistry has improved, too. I get along with all of my teammates and I feel like I want it. Especially since it’s my last year, I want to show out. I want to win and also have fun with my boys.”
Anthony Lembcke and Lee contributed to Wojtulewicz’s fumble recovery at the Tigers’ 30 to set up the Bulldogs’ fourth TD.
Wojtulewicz also is the long-snapper for senior kicker Henry Jurgens with sophomore Georgie Kirsch the holder. Wojtulewicz nearly was on varsity last year but declined because he would not have also played receiver.
“They talked to me before summer camp and asked if I wanted to come up and snap and also play receiver. Obviously I said yes,” Wojtulewicz said.
Jurgens is a former soccer player encouraged to join the program this season by teammates and offensive coordinator Brad Vojcak.
“Honestly, it’s been probably the best five months of my life just being out here with this team,” Jurgens said. “It’s a whole different game, a whole different mental game (than soccer). You’re trying to kick the ball straight every time. In soccer, you’re trying to get a little more finesse on the ball. It’s been an adjustment, but I feel like I’m getting there.”
Marcano made his varsity debut. For his second-quarter fumble recovery and return to the 23, the ball deflected off the return player’s knee right to Marcano.
“I was just staying in my lane. I don’t really remember what happened but it just fell out of his hands and bounced right to me. It was great,” Marcano said. “I was a little nervous but (varsity) was really exciting. Friday night lights is really fun.”
LTHS football
For his final homecoming game Saturday, Lyons Township senior defensive back Jack Lee happily had memories of freshman year. In 2024, Lee recalled his two interceptions in one game as he did during the Lions’ 56-6 victory over Proviso West.
“Two? I like it but I wish it could have been better,” Lee said. “I was just doing my job. We were just doing our job. It so happened that they came my way.”
Junior linebacker Charlie Lesner had the most exciting of the three interceptions in the second quarter by the Lions (5-1, 2-1 in West Suburban Silver), ranked No. 9 in Class 8A. Lesner returned the deflected pass 19 yards for a touchdown and 42-0 lead. The Lions led 49-0 and 49-6 at the half.
“It felt awesome (to score). Everyone was coming up to me, high fiving me and hitting me in the head,” Lesner said. “I honestly was expecting (the receiver) to kind of hand it down, maybe even catch it. He tipped it up right to me. I have (senior Nate Fitzgerald) in front of me. I don’t play much so it felt good getting in.”
Making his varsity debut, sophomore quarterback Quinn Carroll started in place of senior Brendan McCabe. Junior Tommy Leff played quarterback the second half.
“I’ve been waiting for this for a while so it felt great,” Carroll said.
Carroll completed 4 of 6 passes with his first three completions all for touchdowns – Aidan Webster (11 yards), EJ Kuhlman (36 yards) and Owen Matela (8 yards).
“I was pleased that I got the reps that I was able to score those three touchdowns,” Carroll said. “I’ve got to thank the O-line for giving me time in the pocket. All the receivers ran crisp routes and the coaches put me in the right position to make those plays.”
Jack Williams had 18- and 1-yard TD runs. Senior Caiden Kovel took over at running back and rushed for 128 yards on 16 carries with a 1-yard TD. Senior and honorary game captain Ethan Peto added a 2-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.
Kicker Wolfie Ketterling was 8 for 8 on extra points with junior Owen Cornell (long snapper) and Leff (holder) taking the places of sidelined linebacker Cole Harris and McCabe, respectively.
This continues to be a successful fall for Lee and twin sister Avery, a starting back-row player for the girls volleyball team. Jack is five minutes older.
“Volleyball’s happening at the same time (as football),” Lee said. “At around the same time as football is ending, her game has like 10 minutes left. It’s hard to get to her games, but I get to as many as I can.”