High school football: Riverside Brookfield beats up on Wauconda

WAUCONDA – As a third-year varsity starting quarterback, Ryan Swift is starting to show how much the experience is worth.

Swift has had back-to-back games with high completion percentage, a good balance within the offense and the ability to make big plays with both arm and his legs. The Riverside Brookfield senior threw three touchdowns and had more than 300 yards of offense in a 34-19 win against Wauconda on Sept. 4.

"Ryan has set the bar so high the past couple games," RB coach Brendan Curtin said. "I hate to say it's something we almost take for granted because it took him a while to get to this point, but it's just another day at the office."

After allowing the hosts to score the first touchdown of the game, RB rattled off 34 unanswered points. Swift threw touchdowns to Al'lon Carter, Dean Zigulich and Jhalen Williams, John Mieczkowski had a short TD run and Jake Campbell had a scoop and score on a blocked punt.

"Obviously it was a good trip," Curtin said. "I was concerned on a day like that sitting on a hot bus for an hour and a half, but I thought our kids were able to keep their focus. They came off the bus and had a laser like focus about them and it showed on the field."

Curtin complimented the defense's ability to limited Wauconda's run game. That ability will be essential in the upcoming game against St. Edward. The Green Wave have standout running back Dwayne Allen Jr. leading the offense.

After last year's 33-7 St. Edward win against the Bulldogs, Curtin knows how much of a threat Allen is.

"I'm fully aware of what this young man can do, but I think he's still kind of flying under the radar a bit," Curtin said. "Whoever gets this kid at the next level is going to be pretty happy. He's got all the tools to succeed in college. He's just electrifying.

"It's going to be a challenge."

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Week 3 matchup

Who: Riverside Brookfield vs. St. Edward

When: 7:15 p.m. Sept. 12

Where: 4900 Willow Springs Rd., Western Springs

2014 records: RB 2-0, St. Ed's 2-0

Outlook: A rare neutral site game for the Bulldogs given that they will be using Lyons Township as a host stadium while their own stadium remains under construction. St. Edward, which beat RB 33-7 last year, hasn't give up a point yet with shutout wins against Aurora Central Catholic (41-0) and Clark (50-0).