Scouting the York Dukes
One ball. Four running backs.
Call it the perfect problem for York's football team.
"In our system four running backs on the field at one time is not unusual," said Dukes coach Matt Monken. "It'll be fun to see all those guys out there."
Making for even more fun are the four returning offensive linemen - 6-foot-7, 290-pound Chuck Walsh, John Chrisman, Ron Graziano and Cal Widener - and a fifth lineman, Blake Quarrie, who also played last season. That size and experience should help the Dukes rush for much more than the 140 yards they averaged last season.
Between Keith Freeman, Grant Melion, KeVon Robinson and Santiago Vazquez, York will have plenty of options in its run-heavy offense that'll be quarterbacked by junior Charlie Pakenas.
"Our offensive line is going to be pretty strong, and that's what you want in an offense like ours," Monken said. "And we've definitely raised the bar with our talent at the skill positions."
Although strong safety Luke Sacksteder was second on last year's team with 48 tackles and lineman Chris McCoy had 2.5 sacks, little experience returns to the defense. New linebackers Hale and Zane Heemsoth and Austin Waterwall have talent, but they'll need to hit the ground running.
"We're young on that side of the ball," Monken said. "We're a ball-control offense so we're always looking to keep our defense off the field. That'll be important early in the season."
York hasn't had a winning record since 2011, but back-to-back 4-5 seasons show how close the Dukes are to turning the corner and returning to the playoffs. Even while grinding through the West Suburban Silver, the postseason is within their reach.
"We want a very similar season where we're in games and we're putting ourselves in a position to win games," Monken said. "We're right there. Now what we need to do is get over that hump."
One to watch: Week 2
Glenbard West looms in Week 3, so the Dukes need some momentum against Leyden.
The breakdown
Coach: Matt Monken (third year, 8-10).
2015 record: 4-5, 2-4, tied for fourth in West Suburban Silver.
Top players: Keith Freeman (RB, 5-9, 148, sr.); Grant Melion (RB, 5-11, 200, jr.), Chris McCoy (DL-TE, 6-5, 210, sr.), Luke Sacksteder (DB, 6-1, 200, sr.), John Chrisman (OL, 6-1, 165, sr.), Chuck Walsh (OL, 6-7, 290, sr.), Ron Graziano (OL, 6-0, 230, sr.), Cal Widener (OL, 6-3, 255, sr.), Santiago Vazquez (RB, 5-10, 229, sr.), Mike Riley (WR, 6-3, 170, sr.), Charlie Pakenas (QB, 6-1, 170, jr.), KeVon Robinson (RB, 6-0, 185, so.), Blake Quarrie (OL, 5-10, 220, sr.), Hale Heemsoth (LB, 6-2, 190, sr.), Zane Heemsoth (LB, 6-5, 195, so.), Austin Waterwall (LB, 5-11, 210, sr.).
- Kevin Schmit
Schedule
York
Fri, 8/26, New Trier at York, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/2, York at Leyden, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/9, Glenbard West at York, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/16, York at Hinsdale Central, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/23, Willowbrook at York, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/30, York at Oak Park-River Forest, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/7, Proviso West at York, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/14, Downers Grove North at York, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/21, York at Lyons Township, 7:30 p.m.