Lincoln-Way West’s Jackson Mansker initially found his love for football in the primal basics of the game, enjoying the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with an opponent in a test of toughness.

Mansker still embraces that aspect of the sport, but now, the senior defensive back/linebacker/kick returner also appreciates the more subtle nuances.

A film session before a playoff game? It doesn’t get any better than that.

“Hitting people is what first got me hooked on football,” Mansker said. “I loved that. Now, I love the physical component of it and I love the mental part, the grind of going through the preparation to beat a team every week.”

The studying this week has been centered on Downers Grove North (9-2), which will host the Warriors (10-1) at 1 p.m. Saturday in a Class 7A quarterfina

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