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York rallies to beat Downers North in OT

In a matchup of undefeated teams with stingy defenses, it was the legs of Damian Glodz and Kelly Watson that ultimately proved to be the difference.

Glodz kicked a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation and Watson added the winning touchdown in overtime, giving York a 24-17 West Suburban Silver victory over Downers Grove North.

Watson scored on a two-yard run in the first extra session and finished with 145 yards on 21 carries, also adding a 42-yard TD in the first quarter.

"We came in here prepared," Watson said, "because we knew they would bring it. We played hard; a shoutout to our O-line especially. They played their hearts out, especially in overtime. And credit to our defense, they also played their hearts out.

"It was a great win in front of our home crowd."

In his first season of kicking for the Dukes (4-0, 2-0), Glodz, a club soccer player, made a 32-yard field goal as time expired to knot the score at 17-17.

"I was blocking out everything," Glodz said when asked about his field goal attempt. "I was composed and just thinking about my field goal technique.

"It's the most amazing thing of my life. I've been training for this every day in practice and it all led up to this moment with my teammates encouraging me."

Matt Vezza finished 16-of-30 through the air for York for 226 yards. Anthony Mancini caught six of those passes for 80 yards while Charlie Specht hauled in a 35-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Defensively, Joe Reiff recovered a fumble to thwart a Trojans' potential score and Cole Ostendorf tallied a pair of sacks. York also held on the visitors overtime possession, forcing an incompletion on fourth down.

"Downers Grove North is an excellent football team," York coach Mike Fitzgerald said. "We knew this would be a challenge. I'm really proud, a win like this shows the character of the team. We have unbelievable kids.

"I feel you learn more about your team in adverse situations than when things are going great. We had a lot of mistakes but we found a way to overcome them. Our defense played unbelievable."

Downers Grove North (3-1, 0-1) took a 14-7 halftime lead on a pair of touchdown catches from Ethan Thulin. Sam Reichert found the senior for TD receptions of 5 and 19-yards.

The Trojans later took a 17-14 lead in the fourth quarter on a 21-yard field goal by Sean Ryniec.

Reichert passed for 76 yards and rushed for 57. Owen Thulin had an interception and fumble recovery to lead the defense while Cael Brezina also added a pick.

"Unbelievable game, a fun atmosphere," DGN coach Joe Horeni said. "Their coaches did a great job, our defensive coaches did a great job. We had the momentum in a lot of different moments but we just didn't execute when we needed to.

"Our conference is one of the toughest around and you have to bring it every night. We have to watch the film and get better."

Downers Grove North's Sam Reichert (6) passes during the boys varsity football game between Downers Grove North and York on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 in Elmhurst, IL. Tony Gadomski/for Shaw Local
Downers Grove North's Sam Reichert (6) attempts to scramble away from the York defense during the boys varsity football game between Downers Grove North and York on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 in Elmhurst, IL. Tony Gadomski/for Shaw Local
Downers Grove North's Sam Reichert attempts to scramble. Tony Gadomski/for Shaw Local
York's Matt Vezza (9) scrambles looking for a receiver during the boys varsity football game between Downers Grove North and York on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 in Elmhurst, IL. Tony Gadomski/for Shaw Local
Downers Grove North's Ethan Thulin (3) runs back a kick during the boys varsity football game between Downers Grove North and York on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 in Elmhurst, IL. Tony Gadomski/for Shaw Local
Downers Grove North's Ethan Thulin (3) runs back a kick during the boys varsity football game between Downers Grove North and York on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 in Elmhurst, IL. Tony Gadomski/for Shaw Local
Downers Grove North's Noah Battle (20) takes a handoff during the boys varsity football game between Downers Grove North and York on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 in Elmhurst, IL. Tony Gadomski/for Shaw Local
Downers Grove North's Same Reichert (6) celebrates a touchdown during the boys varsity football game between Downers Grove North and York on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 in Elmhurst, IL. Tony Gadomski/for Shaw Local
York's Jake Mellon (30) runs the ball out of the end zone during the boys varsity football game between Downers Grove North and York on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 in Elmhurst, IL. Tony Gadomski/for Shaw Local
York's Matt Vezza (9) looks to pass during the boys varsity football game between Downers Grove North and York on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 in Elmhurst, IL. Tony Gadomski/for Shaw Local
York's Matt Vezza (9) looks to pass during the boys varsity football game between Downers Grove North and York on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 in Elmhurst, IL. Tony Gadomski/for Shaw Local
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