Preview: York

In 2006 and 2007, respectively, York graduates Cory DeRosa and Mike McNulty set the first- and third-best single-season rushing marks in program history.

Here come da' Judge. And we ain't talkin' Flip Wilson.

Last season, Week 2, Tom Judge took over the Dukes quarterback job as coach Bill Lech had figured.

Judge responded by completing 91 of 136 passes for 1,216 yards, 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. An able scrambler, as a junior he also ran for 193 yards.

Bringing some size but not the blocking experience that in recent seasons paved the way for DeRosa and McNulty, York figures to be more diverse offensively.

"We're going to allow Tommy to make a lot of the decisions on the field," said Lech, who along with returning tight end Joe Santiago has new receivers to go with new tailback La'Zerick Williams.

As with the offensive line, Lech believes the defensive front will take time to gell. There are, however, personnel who can clean up.

Linebacker Erik Westerberg led the Dukes in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks last year as a sophomore; Danny Kosich arrived from the sophs in Week 5 and applied the wood. Jimmy Harvey and Romell Johnson should be sturdy at defensive tackle. Cornerback Jeff Nowak was last year's leading tackler in the secondary.

They all helped York win at least a share of the West Suburban Silver a third straight year.

"Our expectations remain the same," Lech said. "We expect to win conference, we expect to have a high seed and we expect to make noise in the playoffs."