York’s bold choice pays off in overtime win over Downers Grove North

After scoring an overtime touchdown against unbeaten Downers Grove North, a decision had to be made, and York coach Don Gelsomino wanted the win.

So did his quarterback, Zack Assaad.

The 6-foot-1 senior faked a handoff, rolled to his right and floated the ball toward receiver Anthony Massel.

“He wasn't even looking when I threw it,” a beaming Assaad said after Massel hauled in the pass and the Dukes claimed a stunning 18-17 overtime win to knock off the Trojans (5-1, 4-1 West Suburban Silver) on Friday in Elmhurst.

“We just have such good chemistry,” Assaad added. “I knew he was gonna be there, turn around right there, and then — I don't even know what I felt after that. It was pretty awesome.”

The crowd stormed the field, and the Dukes shook off two consecutive heartbreaking losses by earning a signature victory over their West Suburban Silver rivals.

“Our kids are tough, we're resilient,” Gelsomino said. “We just gotta keep believing.”

The win moves York to 4-3, 2-2.

They had dropped back-to-back 24-21 games in the previous two weeks — first to Oak Park, then to Hinsdale Central.

“The West Suburban Silver is tough,” Gelsomino added. “You take any win you can get.”

His quarterback knew the upset was possible.

“I had all the faith in the world we were gonna win,” Assaad said. “I knew we kind of matched up well against them, but I trusted my ability and I trusted everyone else's ability to do their job too.”

With the game on the line in overtime, some would say that conventional wisdom calls for kicking the point-after attempt in the first overtime to extend the contest at home.

Gelsomino felt differently.

“Some people think I'm a little crazy,” said the third-year York coach. “We’re in that situation, and I always think, especially in high school football, one play from the 3-yard line? I'd rather have that than go back to another battle.”

Downers North came into Week 7 riding high as their defense had pitched two straight shutouts.

Trailing by a touchdown in the third quarter, York running back Chris Georgas sprinted 54 yards to end that streak as he tied the game up.

“They’re a phenomenal defense,” Georgas said. “The best defense we saw all season. We just saw tiny openings, and we just took it.”

Georgas then helped put the Dukes in position to take a 10-7 lead on a field goal with 6:22 to play.

The Trojans sent the game to overtime with a field goal of their own with just over a minute remaining in regulation.

After Downers North standout Kevin Jay promptly scored from two yards out to make it 17-10, it was Georgas’ turn once again.

He found another one of those openings, putting his team in position for its magical two-point conversion.

“Everything just set up perfectly. Our O-line did perfect,” Georgas said. “We had a cool formation. It was just ran perfectly.”

York looks for win No. 5 against Glenbard West next week.