Scouting the York Dukes
York's football team came one win shy of reaching last year's playoffs.
The margin was actually closer than that.
In four games the Dukes didn't force the other team to punt. They suffered five turnovers in three games and had games with six and eight turnovers.
With the elimination of just a few of those mistakes, York would have made the postseason for the sixth straight year.
Thirteen starters return to make sure those mistakes aren't repeated.
"It's definitely starting to jell," said Dukes coach Bill Lech. "Just the attitude and the approach, it seems to be coming together."
The bulk of the experience rests with eight returning offensive starters led by four lineman and tight end Rob Crowe, a third-year starter along with center Sean Crowe.
York will have a new quarterback in Jim Nudera, but several skill players return including running back Ryan Kent, who last year rushed for 538 yards. David Byerley caught 20 passes for 298 yards and 2 touchdowns.
"Offensively, we have the potential to be real good," Lech said. "We've got the pounding running game, but we've also got big-play potential."
Strides must be made defensively. Junior linebacker Nick Skuteris anchors the unit in his third varsity season, and R.J. Kleinhans also returns at linebacker. Joe Paparone returns at cornerback, while John Worley and John Groh are back on the line.
"I think we'll be better in all phases, but we definitely need to improve on defense," Lech said. "I think we'll be better."
Better should be good enough in terms of York's hopes of reclaiming a playoff spot. After last season the Dukes have learned not to make the same mistakes twice.
"There were so many times last year when we could have made a play to win a game that we wound up losing," Lech said. "From what I've seen so far, I think we've got the kind of team that will make those plays this season."
The breakdown
Coach: Bill Lech (sixth year, 36-17; 58-43 overall).
2009 record: 4-5, 2-4, tied for fifth in West Suburban Silver.
Top players: Sean Crowe (OL, 6-0, 250, sr.); Rob Crowe (TE, 6-4, 220, sr.); David Byerley (WR, 6-2, 190, jr.); Nick Skuteris (LB-RB, 6-1, 250, jr.); R.J. Kleinhans (LB, 6-0, 185, sr.); Joe Paparone (DB, 5-10, 165, sr.); Jim Nudera (QB-LB, 6-1, 200, sr.); Ryan Kent (RB, 5-9, 170, sr.); John Worley (DL, 6-4, 205, sr.); John Groh (DL, 5-10, 205, sr.); Bob LeGere (OL, 6-3, 250, sr.); Eli Kosanovich (OL, 6-2, 275, sr.); Jason DuBois (OL, 6-1, 205, sr.); Jake Rzeszutko (DB, 5-7, 135, jr.); Ken Boesenberg (RB, 5-8, 180, jr.).