By Bobby Narang
Two games into the 2023 high school football season, York is proving last season wasn’t a fluke.
Ten years ago, the Dukes were a fledging program and failed to win a game in 2013.
Last season, the Dukes recorded the program’s first undefeated regular season in their 103-history. They cruised to the West Suburban Conference Silver Division championship and won three playoff games before losing to powerhouse Loyola in a Class 8A semifinal.
Quarterback Matt Vezza was one of the key players in the program’s turnaround in the last three seasons, but he was graduated, which left a big hole to fill in production and leadership.
But senior quarterback Sean Winton has filled that void early in the season, leading the Dukes (2-0) to a pair of resounding victories, including a 42-13 rout over Nazareth on Friday.
Winton completed nine of 15 passes for 120 yards and four touchdowns, while running back Jake Melion ran for 166 yards and two scores. The Dukes defense allowed just 15 yards rushing.
“Beating a great program like Nazareth the way we did, I would say sends a message to the State that we’re not here to play around and we got our eyes on the title,” Winton said. “The keys to both wins is our great coaching staff and every teammate doing their job to prepare for each game. It all starts with practice, whether it’s film study, lifting, or actual practice, the team is locked in and focused week in and week out.”
Through two games, Winton has completed 22-of-32 passes for 398 yards and seven touchdowns. Wide receiver Luke Mailander has 10 catches for 253 yards and three TDs and Melion has 45 carries for 328 yards and three touchdowns.
Offensively, the Dukes have tallied 810 total yards and 87 points.
Meanwhile in Elmhurst, IC Catholic Prep is among the unbeaten teams in the State. The Knights (2-0) have knocked off Gray Bowman Academy (Indiana), 47-0, and Chicago Orr, 34-0, but travel to Benet Academy (2-0) for a tough test Friday, Sept. 8.