By Bobby Narang
York High School and Downers Grove North High School each is enjoying a renaissance in the respective football program.
Both West Suburban Conference Silver programs won their first three games to lift the spirits of their players after a few rough years. Playing in a division that includes Glenbard West and Hinsdale Central can lead to some tough losses.
Sure, both York and Downers Grove North have experienced some rough years, but both are going in the right direction. Ironically, both programs are led by fourth-year coaches who have put their stamps on their programs.
Downers Grove North head coach Joe Horeni and York head coach Mike Fitzgerald had the misfortune of facing each other in week four. York rode a strong second quarter to pull out a 28-10 road victory over the Trojans.
The Dukes, 4-0, 2-0, are on their best start since winning their first six games in the 2010 season.
Fitzgerald said it was a total team effort to knock off the Trojans, especially after his team lost three turnovers in the first quarter.
“I thought all three phases played great,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s what you have to do against a team like Downers Grove North. Our kids finally have the confidence and belief they can win every game. When we hit some adversity, they hung in there and they know they’re good. That’s important. It does take some time to build that confidence. We have some great leaders that came through before this group that helped build the program. It’s just cool to see that it’s starting to pay off in big games like this, and they’re making big plays in critical situations. We have some young guys playing varsity football, so this game was their first taste of a big game.”
The Dukes will seek their fifth victory in a row when they play host to Lyons Friday, Sept 24. Junior running back Kelly Watson, a first-year varsity starter, was instrumental in the victory over Downers Grove North. His 93-yard run for a touchdown in the second quarter sparked a 14-point scoring spree that energized the Dukes. Watson rushed for a career-high 175 yards.
“That run felt great,” Watson said. “I think that helped bring the energy. We were holding our heads after the first couple of series, but that run helped.”
Nazareth ends losing skid
It’s a strange sight to see Nazareth Academy among the winless teams this late in the season. Under head Tim Racki, the Roadrunners had become one of the state powerhouse programs, until the coronavirus pandemic.
Since then, the LaGrange Park-based school had struggled and showed some cracks in a slugging Spring season and lost their first three games this Fall. But the Roadrunners responded with a 24-21 victory at Notre Dame Saturday.
Racki admitted it was a special moment to see his players celebrate a “W”.
“It was great to finally have that breakthrough,” Racki said. “You are what your record says you are, but as a coach, you see your team improving week to week. We had all close games, and were right on the edge. We really wanted to get that breakthrough.
“It was great seeing the kids celebrate after game, on bus and in the locker room. It was really special for me. I like this group. We don’t have the numbers that we’ve had in the past, but they have that legacy leaning over them. The kids have to understand they have to have their own identity. They’re building off that. They’re starting to realize you can’t just go (here) and get a State championship. They have to keep the outside noise out. It’s fun seeing the team grow.”
The Roadrunners, 1-3, overall and 1-0 in the Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Green, will be host to Carmel, 2-2, 0-1, CCL/ESC Purple Friday, Sept. 24.