Over three seasons as a starter for the Riverside Brookfield High School football team, senior defensive lineman Andrew Olivares has seen the program go from missing the playoffs to being state ranked. There’s even been significant growth since the start of 2026.
“All of the time we’ve put in since May, even since January in the offseason workouts. I’m just really proud of our team and my D-line and all of the defense for everything we’ve put in,” Olivares said.
The Bulldogs achieved one of their primary goals Friday by winning the Upstate Eight Conference East Division title outright by beating Glenbard South 25-7 in Glen Ellyn. It’s the first conference title for the Bulldogs (8-1, 6-0 in UEC East) since 2009. It’s even sweeter after losing last year’s winner-take-all title showdown at Glenbard East 45-43 on a 47-yard field goal as time expired.
“This is such a success and I feel great that my senior year we end up with a conference championship,” Olivares said. “The whole team, our offense, stepped up, put points on the board. It was great and then we took it home.”
As usual, the Bulldogs scored a touchdown on their opening drive on a 1-yard run by senior Anthony Lembcke despite a steady rain at the time. They then shut out Glenbard South (5-4, 4-2) in the second half after leading 12-7 at halftime.
“It means everything. We’ve been after this for as long as I can remember,” said Lembcke, who also started at linebacker. “This means the world to all of us. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Nico Caputo scored his first of two touchdowns on a 1-yard run to put RBHS ahead 12-0, but the Raiders scored four plays later on a 45-yard TD pass. Senior quarterback Braeden Novak found Nick Baca for a 12-yard TD pass with 4:33 left in the third quarter for an 18-7 advantage. Caputo scored from the 2 with 1:57 left after the Bulldogs made a huge defensive stand concluded by Jayden Lee’s interception in the end zone.
“It’s massive. Last year (winning conference) was one of our goals and we fell short of it. I think that left a sour taste in a lot of our guys’ mouths,” RBHS coach Sam Styler said. “The past couple of weeks we’ve had some of our best practices. We’ve wanted to play our best football at the end of the season. Obviously (to become) conference champions and now get ready for playoffs. I can’t really describe how proud I am of this group.”
Last week the Bulldogs entered the Illinois media state poll’s top 10 for Class 6A at No. 8. Now the Bulldogs (8-1, 6-0 in UEC East) are looking for their first state playoff victories since 2015 as the No. 3 seed in their bracket of 6A pairings. Receiving a first-round bye in this year’s expanded playoff field of 48 teams per class, the Bulldogs will play host to No. 14 Thornwood or No. 19 Plainfield East Oct. 23-24.
After an 8-0 start in 2025, RBHS lost consecutive games to Glenbard East in Week 9 and then Rolling Meadows in their 6A playoff opener. This season began with a 28-6 home loss to Sandburg (7-2), which has been ranked in 8A.
“Last year, that loss against Glenbard East was tough. After the Sandburg loss, our coaches told us at the Saturday morning meeting we were going to go 8-1 and that’s just what we did,” Novak said. “Last year we lost in the first round of the playoffs and it sucked. This year I want to advance far and possibly play for a state championship.”
Novak passed for 128 yards and rushed for 100, including a 34-yarder on the final TD drive. Caputo had 95 rushing yards and 73 receiving yards. Lembcke, who primarily plays linebacker, scored his first TD against Sandburg. He second came Friday en route to five carries for 44 yards, including a 24-yarder, mostly as a replacement after Gideon Bradford’s ankle injury.
“It was the most I’ve ever played running back in a game,” Lembcke said.
The Raiders threatened with a 15-play drive that started at their 15 with two fourth-down conversions. In the end zone, Lee was first the ball with 6:28 remaining against the Raiders’ Anthony Baldauf, who had scored earlier.
“It’s the most important pick I’ve ever had but every game, every chance I got, that’s what I’ve got to do,” Lee said.
“(Winning conference) means a lot. We worked hard all season. These are my brothers. All we want to do is win. I’m glad we got it. Now it’s time for the playoffs and just keep going.”
LTHS football
Lyons Township (6-3) will play host to Metea Valley (3-6) for the first round of the 8A state playoffs at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in Western Springs. The Lions, ranked No. 10 for 8A in last week’s Illinois media state poll, are the No. 23 seed in this year’s expanded playoffs with 48 teams per class. The No. 44-seed Mustangs have a 34-29 victory over rival Waubonsie Valley (3-6) on Sept. 11 and two over 1-8 opponents.
LTHS lost its regular-season finale 16-14 at York on Friday for fourth in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division at 3-3 with Hinsdale Central. York (6-3, 4-2) led 10-0 at halftime and pulled ahead 16-7 with 8:02 left, missing the two-point conversion. The Lions closed to within two on quarterback Brendan McCabe’s 19-yard touchdown run with 4:59 left. They regained possession with 3:44 to go and were driving until an interception with 59 seconds left.
The Lions’ first TD was an 8-yard run by EJ Kuhlman in the third quarter.
“The defense played well. York’s a good team but you can’t beat a good team playing only one half of offense,” LTHS coach Jon Beutjer said. “The challenge now in the playoffs is to play a complete game and come out faster, having more of a sense of urgency from the get go.”
Kuhlman rushed for 78 yards and McCabe passed for 103 with top receiver Lincoln DeMauro (4 catches, 49 yards). Defensive leaders included Cole Harris (10 tackles), Aidan Webster, Gavin Bunnell and Charlie Carlisle (6 tackles each) and Ian Collins, Zion Crockrell, Webster and Carlisle (tackles for loss).
Nazareth football
Nazareth Academy (4-5), ranked No. 6 in 6A last week, is the No. 20 seed in its half of the 6A playoff bracket and visit No. 13 Shepard (5-4) at 6 p.m. Friday. The winner visits No. 4 Dunlap (8-1) in the round of 32.
The Roadrunners lost 17-14 Friday to St. Rita, their second loss this season by five or fewer points.