By Bobby Narang
York High School head football coach Mike Fitzgerald wondered how his team would handle adversity in the second-round playoff Saturday, Nov. 5. The Dukes, a relative newcomer to big-time football, were playing at State powerhouse Marist in Chiago, but had to overcome unusual heavy winds that hampered their passing game.
The Dukes showed their moxie with an impressive 27-21 double-overtime victory over Marist in a Class 8A second-round playoff game. The Dukes (11-0) advanced to the quarterfinals to play host to Palatine (10-1) at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. The quarterfinal appearance marks the another new standard for the program, the first time since the 2006 season.
“It was incredible, just how the game went and with the weather,” Fitzgerald said. “So many things happened in that game, things you never have seen before, including the win. We couldn’t have done a better job, especially on our first drive, a 14-play drive into the wind that killed the clock. We were able to shrink the field and led 14-0 after the first quarter.”
Fitzgerald said he was amazed the support by the students and fans at Marist, noting the York student section forced the host team to adjust due to the noise in overtime.
“Marist stole momentum right before halftime, but our kids believed in overtime,” he said. “They have battled adversity and stayed in the moment. It’s a credit to our leadership. It’s remarkable how we won that game. It was definitely special, just seeing it from years ago, when any kind of adversity would happen, we would just crumble. It took a lot of time, but we changed our culture. It’s a great reflection of our culture and leadership.”
Fitzgerald said the Dukes have a tough chore battling Palatine, who have quality victories over St. Charles North, Conant, and Barrington. Palatine’s lone defeat came against Glenbrook South, 43-42, in week four.
“They’re a very good football team, and put it to some different teams,” he said. “They got some really good skill players and size and excellent speed. They are a lot like us, in that they fly to football on defense. Their offense is very balanced and they have a dynamic running back, a skilled wide receiver and a quarterback who can get them the ball.”
Fitzgerald said several York players, including quarterback Max Vezza, are playing at a high level. Vezza, a senior, passed for 108 yards and a touchdown and ran for 142 yards and two scores against Marist.
“Matt’s playing really well,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s a warrior. He’s so poised and he doesn’t get rattled.”