Senior quarterback Braeden Novak and the Riverside Brookfield High School football team appeared in position to take another step in their season of breakthroughs Friday. The Bulldogs trailed at halftime but were riding the excitement of sophomore James Organ’s outstanding leaping 13-yard touchdown catch with a defender on him just 28 seconds before halftime.
“We’ve trusted James all year with the 1-on-1s,” Novak said. “Going into halftime, the momentum shifted back to our side. All year our coaches have been telling us to get a stop and then a score.”
The shift, however, was short lived.
Visiting Wheaton Warrenville South opened the second half by scoring in three plays followed by TDs on its next three possessions and prevailed 45-14 in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs.
The Bulldogs finish 9-2 after winning their first playoff game since 2015 and the outright title of the Upstate Eight Conference East Division, their first conference title since 2009. They were the No. 3 seed in their half of the bracket.
“We lost a lot of seniors after an 8-2 season (in 2025) and a lot of people were doubting us. We proved that RB’s on the rise right now,” Novak said.
“I think everyone on the team knew that no one was really counting on us. Everyone thought our shot was last year with the seniors that we had. And then we had the best year at RB in the last like 20 years,” senior safety Will Rio said. “We all knew what we had to do and we all did it. That’s just something special that I’ll never forget.”
That work began as far back as last December with offseason training. RBHS coach Sam Styler said players often sought out coaches for access to the weight room.
“There was so much this group was able to accomplish. When you look back and realize (their achievements), it speaks volumes,” Styler said. “The senior leadership was absolutely phenomenal. We talk about what kind of legacy these guys wanted to leave this year and they did just that. They fell short this round but just to play in November was something we hadn’t been able to do in a long time.”
The Bulldogs also provided one last electrifying start. They not only scored on the game’s opening possession like usual but on a 70-yard TD pass from senior Novak to senior Nico Caputo.
“It was pretty cool. To start the game we had a lot of energy, momentum coming to our side,” Caputo said. “It’s a shame we couldn’t continue it, but that was a big way to get the crowd going.”
After missing a 37-yard field goal on their opening possession, the No. 6 Tigers (8-3) followed with three straight TDs on a 5-yard run and TD passes of 52 and 20 yards by junior quarterback AJ Rogers, who finished with 362 passing yards (290 in first half) and three TDs in an 18-for-26 performance.
The Bulldogs’ onside kick to open the second half was unsuccessful. The Tigers used a 13-yard pass and 22- and 15-yard runs by Trent Simpson to pull ahead 28-14.
RBHS was limited to two first downs the rest of the way with three of the Tigers’ four interceptions, two each by Sean Lyle and Sajaan Ray. Drew Maletich came back to make a 52-yard field goal for the Tigers’ final points.
“I’d say the work that the guys put in the offseason (made the difference). Guys showed up every day before school, afterschool, late at night,” Caputo said.
“I feel like the brotherhood was out of the roof,” senior linebacker Bryan Rimpila said.
“Everyone was very connected. Every week was a good week of practice. We were really fighting for something because we had a chip on our shoulder from last year.”
Novak passed for 179 yards and rushed for 48. Caputo (2 catches, 81 yards), Organ (5 catches, 51 yards) and sophomore Dean Mauban (4 catches, 29 yards) were top receivers.
Riverside-Brookfield’s Tyler Schultz (10) breaks through against Thornwood during a Class 6A first round game Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) Credit: Steve Johnston 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Nico Caputo (3) picks up yardage against Thornwood during a Class 6A first round game Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) Credit: Steve Johnston 
Riverside-Brookfield’s James Organ (5) hauls in a touchdown reception against Thornwood’s Kavion Young (2) during a Class 6A first round game Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) Credit: Steve Johnston
Defensively, senior Anthony Lembcke broke up an end-zone pass on the opening drive and junior Charlie Jicha had a sack for a 9-yard loss.
Novak finished the season with 20 passing TDs and 12 rushing TDs.
“I put on 25 pounds and knew I needed to run the ball (besides passing). I showed that I was able to run the ball this year,” Novak said.
“He’s gotten a ton of recognition that he rightfully deserves. That’s a kid who works his tail off. He’s a heck of an athlete,” Styler said. “What he was able to do as a leader, runner, thrower, that’s a heck of a quarterback and also what he did to set up our future quarterbacks for success.”
Several non-seniors, including a huge group of sophomores, contributed to the success. That included sophomore Matthew Rimpila, who played on a team with brother Bryan for the first time and together on defense.
“It was an experience I never got to have before, being on older teams than him,” Bryan Rimpila said. “It’s something I’ll look back on.”