Boone Grove’s Jake Mayersky took nothing for granted.

His performance Friday night was indicative of such an approach.

A week after the Wolves’ 56-0 win over Whiting in the last game of the regular season, the senior quarterback/safety ran for two touchdowns, threw for another TD and made two interceptions as visiting Boone Grove topped the Oilers 44-7 in a Class 2A Sectional 33 opener.

“We never take anybody lightly,” Mayersky said. “Once the score gets up, we don’t really have many subs, so we can’t really take a break. We try to keep our heads, no stupid penalties, and we try to keep a zero on the scoreboard.

“We came out really slowly, but we came together. It’s not going to get any easier from here. It’s the first one; we hope to have five more.”

Mayersky rushed for 79 yards on seven carries and had TD runs of 26 and 37 yards for the Wolves (10-0) against Whiting (2-8).

Boone Grove coach Dan Kukulski praised Mayersky.

“Jake’s a quarterback’s quarterback,” Kukulski said. “The team goes the way he goes. The team feeds off him. He makes plays.

“He loves this game so much. He’s so inspirational to the younger guys. He keeps everybody in line. He keeps things going.”

Mayersky also had a 26-yard TD pass to star senior running back Brae’ton Vann.

“That’s one of our go-to plays,” Mayersky said of the TD pass. “We get Brae’ton in space — that’s what we have to do, and we did it. He always tells me to get him the ball, and good things happen.”

Vann also had a 72-yard TD run, part of a game in which he rushed for 129 yards on seven carries. After Whiting scored its lone TD on junior Tony Madrueno’s 12-yard run, Vann returned the kickoff 95 yards for a score.

Boone Grove was anticipating an onside kick, but when Whiting kicked deep, Vann raced back and picked up the ball. He ran for 338 yards and five TDs on 11 carries in the regular-season finale.

“Last week I had a lot of yards. This week I didn’t,” Vann said. “It (the kickoff) was my last chance to do something, so I took advantage.”

Vann continues to impress Kukulski.

“You’ve seen his talent,” Kukulski said. “He touches the ball, and he goes. He’s fun to watch. He makes my life easier.”

Senior running back/linebacker Andrew Eriks had a 2-yard TD run for the game’s first score and an interception for Boone Grove.

Madrueno also had three catches for 52 yards for Whiting.

Boone Grove plays at Andrean (7-3) in next week’s sectional semifinals.

“We’ve been thinking about the Andrean game all season, and next week’s the week,” Mayersky said. “We’re finally getting the chance.”