York dominates Warren to reach third semi-final in a row: Shaw Local

ELMHURST – After two consecutive trips to the state semifinals, York underwent a coaching change and some players graduated. But the Dukes are back to the same level of excellence.

York rolled to a 34-15 win Warren on Friday at Elmhurst and next weekend will face Naperville Central in the Class 8A semifinals.

First-year head coach Don Gelsomino explained that York has not suffered a single loss this season.

“Last year January 8th we were in the weight room,” he said. “Everyone is in there and there are 150 kids. They lost their head coach and there were 150 kids in the weight room and that’s how it starts. They went through it and they grinded and I love them for it.

The Dukes had a solid game plan, keeping Warren’s high-powered offense in check until the game was decided. Blue Devils junior running back Aaron Stewart found some space late in the game and finished with 116 yards on 20 carries. But his first eleven attempts yielded only 17 yards.

York senior nose guard Tyler Hayes was right in the thick of it, diving into Warren’s offensive line on virtually every move.

“Our whole defense is focused on stopping the run, so it’s really a perfect game for us,” Hayes said. “I usually get doubled over a lot. I shoot away, I get hit very hard, but I try to read the back from there and clear the blockers.

“I really think the departure of last year’s head coach has really brought us together and given us new hope with our new head coach. Third semi-final in a row.”

Warren forced a three-and-out on York’s first possession, but couldn’t take advantage of good field position. The second the Dukes offense took the field, the long runs began. Running backs Jimmy Conners and Henry Duda pounded the defense, then quarterback Bruno Massel kept the ball, found a crease and headed straight to the end zone.

Massel scored on touchdown runs of 37, 66, 26 and 40 yards. He finished with 176 yards on 9 carries, Conners added 127 yards on 11 carries and Warren couldn’t do much to slow things down.

York’s offensive line of Kosta Kampas, Jack Ryszetnyk, Jack Wahr, Jack Bodach and Camden Sivewright dominated the scrimmage, while Notre Dame’s Joe Reiff anchored the defensive line and came into the attack.

“This team has been together for a long time,” Massel said. “A lot of summer training, a lot of off-season training. And those two losses really bonded us. We could have just laid down and decided the season was over from that point on, but we really put everything together.”

The Blue Devils had one turnover in the first half that widened the deficit slightly, but essentially couldn’t keep up after winning twice in the playoffs as the No. 27 seed.

“We didn’t do a good job on defense and on the offensive end we didn’t do it early,” Warren coach Bryan McNulty said. “That’s a good football team, they belong where they are. The conference they play in is very tough. They deserve to go to the semi-finals.”

After carrying a huge workload in the backfield, Stewart, a defending champion, heads into wrestling season.

“This is more than what could ever have been expected of us,” Stewart said. “I think we have 11, 12 of our starters that were out for the season. We made do with what we had and we still got to this point, so I’m proud of all my guys.”