Six times last year, the York football team held opponents to three touchdowns or less and four times, opposing teams scored two touchdowns or less.
Bad news for York opponents this fall: The Dukes return nine players on the defensive side of the ball who started multiple games last year on a team that went 6-4 and qualified for the Class 8A state playoffs.
“We have pretty much our entire defensive line back,” York coach Don Gelsomino noted.
Leading the list of returners on the defensive line is Purdue-bound senior Owen Roberts (6-5, 250 pounds), along with senior Brayden Byford (6-1, 245), senior Vince Howard (6-2, 210) at nose tackle and senior Blake Yankowski (6-4, 200), who provided key relief for two-way players last year.
York, which went 4-2 and tied for second in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division in 2025, also welcomes back inside linebackers Tommy Hosler (5-10, 200) and Max Bui (6-1, 205). Hosler was York’s leading tackler, while Bui was the squad’s third-leading tackler. Senior outside linebacker Will Bute (6-2, 190) also is back.
Senior free safety Matt Young (6-1, 185) started six games a year ago and headlines the defensive secondary.
“We have quite a few guys back on defense,” Gelsomino said. “The last seven years I have been at York, we’ve had a lot of athletic guys who fly to the ball and have done a good job of building good schemes. We’re letting guys go out there and do their jobs and so far they’ve done a good job.”
Offensively, senior Zack Assaad (6-1, 190) returns at quarterback after starting three-and-a-half games last season.
In the backfield, Bute, who backed up the graduated Henry Duda last fall, is back, while offensive linemen Danny Farmer (6-2, 255, senior) and Byford also return. Senior Anthony Massel (6-1, 195), brother of graduated York star Bruno Massel, is also back at wide receiver.
“We bring back guys who gained experience last year on offense,” Gelsomino said. “They have stepped up pretty well. We have some pretty athletic players. A lot of the guys we have on offense are pretty good with the ball in their hands. We have a good quarterback who got some experience last year. We’re hopeful things will go well.”
Gelsomino added senior Chris Georgas (5-11, 205) also will figure prominently into the York running game, while senior Chris Winton (6-4, 195), who played last year as well, will be another key player at the receiver position.
Additionally, Kedon Robinson (5-10, 180), who started games both ways on defense, will help at running back and linebacker, while sophomore Liam Larma (6-2, 210, tight end, inside linebacker) is yet another player who will contribute for the Dukes.
“Our practices have been good,” Gelsomino said. “The kids are in good spirits. It’s a little different this year with having a full week of practice before school starts. The kids are taking to it pretty well and are working hard. I am happy with where we are at.”
Gelsomino said the WSC Silver, which was won by Glenbard West (5-1) last year and featured York, Downers Grove North and Lyons Township all with 4-2 league marks, will once again be challenging.
“In our conference, everybody is good,” he said. “Glenbard West will be really good. Hinsdale Central and Downers North and LT (Lyons Township) will all be good. We also have a tough non-conference schedule with Glenbrook South and Nazareth (Academy). At the same time, we have been pretty good the last few years. We want to keep that going and live up to that. It’s never easy, no matter who you play. We will keep the focus on ourselves and keep grinding away.”
The Dukes host Glenbrook South in the 2026 season-opener on Friday, Aug. 21.
