Scouting the York Dukes
Scouting the York Dukes
Six juniors starting on offense, two sophomores up on varsity and a new coach instilling new offensive and defensive schemes.
York’s football team may have the look of rebuilding, but it’s not that simple. Not when your new coach is coming from a program he led to the playoffs 10 times in 13 seasons.
“Everything’s different this year, but they’re picking it up quickly,” said Dukes coach Steve Nye, who was Brother Rice’s coach since 1999. “The program’s definitely had a lot of success, and we just want to keep it going.”
Nye says his goal is to be balanced offensively, although the Dukes’ personnel suggests an emphasis on the pass with the return of quarterback Andrew Iwaszkiewicz, who was a part-time starter last year, and Austin Wagner, an overlooked receiver among last season’s standout group led by graduated David Byerley.
Jordan Peacock and Connor O’Malley are not only part of the ground game, they’re also among the players expected to see action on both sides of the ball. Peacock will play linebacker and O’Malley will be in the secondary.
The offensive line is a work in progress with little experience returning.
“That’s where we have a lot of new players,” Nye said. “We need to be able to run the ball because we’ve got some real good skill guys.”
For what York’s defense lacks in size, it makes up for with quickness. Linebacker John Shipman and cornerbacks Joe Frost and Drew Mueller return in addition to Peacock and O’Malley.
The Dukes will have their hands full competing with Glenbard West, Hinsdale Central, Lyons Twp. and others in the West Suburban Silver but, coming from the brutally competitive Chicago Catholic Blue, Nye is accustomed to tough schedules.
“If we can get our feet wet during the first few games of the season, we could be pretty good come conference time,” he said.— Kevin SchmitThe breakdown
Coach: Steve Nye (first year; 14th overall, 97-59).
2011 record: 6-4, 4-2, second in West Suburban Silver.
Top players: Andrew Iwaszkiewicz (QB, 6-0, 175, sr.); Austin Wagner (WR, 6-1, 170, sr.); Jordan Peacock (RB-DB, 5-11, 185, sr.); Connor O’Malley (RB-DB, 5-11, 180, sr.); John Shipman (LB, 6-1, 210, sr.); Joe Frost (DB, 6-0, 170, sr.); Drew Mueller (DB, 5-8, 170, sr.).
Schedule
Fri, 8/24, Rolling Meadows at York , 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 8/31, York at Hinsdale South, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/7, Willowbrook at York, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/14, York at Oak Park-River Forest, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/21, Proviso West at York, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/28, Downers Grove North at York, 7:30 p.m.
Sat, 10/6, York at Lyons Twp., 1:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/12, Glenbard West at York, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/19, York at Hinsdale Central, 7:30 p.m.