By Bobby Narang
Recent football history was not on York High School’s side in week six Saturday,
The Dukes had won their first five games of the season, to produce the best start in 11 years. One of the oldest schools in the State, York had built a rich history in athletics, mainly in cross country.
But the Dukes’ football program was another story. So, despite a fast start, the odds were stacked against the Dukes when they played at West Suburban Silver powerhouse Glenbard West in Glen Ellyn.
The Hilltoppers have dominated the annual series, by winning the last 13 games against the York. The 2021 Spring season was one of the closest games in recent years, with Glenbard West posting a 21-0 victory.
How one-sided was the series?
Let’s take a look at the recent scores: A 47-7 rout in 2019, a 45-24 victory in 2018, a 50-3 victory in 2017, 42-7 in 2016, 41-14 in 2015, 48-7 in 2014, 35-7 in 2013, 41-7 in 2012, 45-0 in 2011, 27-10 in 2010, 42-7 in 2009 and 48-6 in 2008.
To top it off, the Hilltoppers rarely lose a regular season game at home, not with a loud, rabid, group of students cheering every second throughout a Saturday afternoon game.
But streaks, good and bad, always have to come to an end.
That’s what happened October 2.
Max Hansmann connected on a 17-yard field goal in the final seconds to give York an improbable 12-10 victory. It clinched the program’s first playoff berth since 2011.
York head coach Mike Fitzgerald called it a milestone victory for the program.
“Seeing that kick going through the uprights was a great feeling,” he said. “Our team really battled the momentum swings and adversity in that game, and it was awesome seeing that kick go through knowing we were about 40 seconds away from accomplishing one of our big goals that we have been working on for years. Seeing the kids smiling and crying tears of happiness was also a special moment as well as I know how much they have put into this football program and to see their hard work be rewarded is just special.”
Fitzgerald said he was flooded with calls and texts messages from former players after the game. The Dukes, 6-0 and 4-0, are in the driver’s season in the Conference with three regular season games remaining.
“I had about 40 text messages before I got back to school from recent alums that helped set the foundation of the program and seeing the pride they had in that win was really special, too,” he said.
Hansmann booted a 25-yard field goal early in the fourth to give the Dukes a 9-3 lead. Glenbard West answered with a 12-play, 65-yard drive that was capped by Jack Oberhofer’s two-yard touchdown run to give the host Hilltoppers a 10-9 lead. York quarterback Matt Vezza sparked the winning drive. He finished with 33 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown and added 122 yards through the air with one interception.
Fitzgerald said he wasn’t worried about running Vezza so much because backup quarterback Colin Doherty is a capable replacement.
“Colin hasn’t played a down the last couple weeks but he is a huge part of our undefeated season,” he said. “We have run quarterback Matt Vezza 45 times the last two games and I can do that without hesitation because of my confidence in Colin. If you only have one quarterback you get nervous about how many times you want to run the quarterback, but Colin is another outstanding quarterback that started the first couple games before Matt emerged in the Downers Grove North game. Not only does Colin allow us to call the game like that which helps our team and offense tremendously, but the way Colin has handled the situation has really been remarkable.”