York sees improvement despite defeat
Last football season York allowed at least 24 points eight times and was limited to 8 points or fewer in seven of its eight losses, including a shutout defeat at New Trier in the opener.
Although the Dukes' performance in Friday's opening rematch with the Trevians didn't add up to a victory, they came away with many positives from a 21-13 defeat in Elmhurst.
"I was very pleased with the outcome of tonight's game, regardless of win or loss," said senior lineman Bo Thomas, one of six returning defensive starters.
"I'm just happy with the team's overall enthusiasm towards the game and our preparation. We overall as a collective (defensive) group have more of a spirit to us. Knowing that we have a good offense, it's good to know that offense and defense are both working really well together."
Trailing by 8 entering the fourth quarter, the Dukes reached the 32-yard line, but quarterback Joseph Javorek faced heavy fourth-down pressure from 6-foot-5 265-pound lineman and Northwestern recruit Duke Olges. The pass was incomplete and York turned the ball over on downs with 5:12 left.
New Trier ran out the clock with three first downs led by Brian Sitzer, who rushed for 187 yards, including a 3-yard TD and a 50-yard TD run on the Trevians' first possession of the second half.
The Trevians, going for their 16th straight playoff berth, won the 2017 meeting 31-0.
"We talked about all week it's just about effort and attitude. We control those things and that's how we're going to define success," said first-year York coach Mike Fitzgerald. "The scoreboard doesn't always tell you the full story. We got better tonight. I know a lot of people probably think how the heck did they do it, but these kids have worked extremely hard. They've committed. It's not a surprise."
On its third possession York tied the game 7-7 in the second quarter on KeVon Robinson's 21-yard run and closed to 14-13 with 2:35 left in the third quarter on Javorek's 16-yard pass to wide-open tight end Tyrone Birmingham. The extra point in the drizzle failed.
The York defense came through on several occasions, particularly linebacker John Milling's interception with 4:07 left in the first half by stepping in front of the receiver at the 4. The Trevians had just made a fumble recovery at the York 39 less than a minute after missing a 40-yard field goal.
On fourth-and-16 at the 21 in the fourth quarter, 5-5 defensive back Clayton Letourneau broke up a fourth-down end-zone pass to keep the Dukes within 8.
"(Letourneau) might be the smallest guy on our team and he went up there and knocked it down, gave us another chance (to rally)," Fitzgerald said. "(Milling) saw the quarterback rolling out and got underneath it and it was a big play. I thought the defense played great the whole night."
Robinson rushed for 62 yards, and junior newcomer Nicholas Conroy debuted in the second quarter and finished with 102 behind strong line play. Javorek passed for 70 yards.
"I give thanks to all of my coaches for putting me in the right position," Robinson said. "It feels good. It feels real good (to score). You stand up, turn around, see the crowd yelling your name, it just feels real good."