Many of the last names are the same, but the players are different for York this year.
Accepting that reality seems to have helped the Dukes turn the page after a so-so start.
Chris Georgas’ running and a gritty defensive effort led by two-way linemen Owen Roberts and Brayden Byford powered York to its second consecutive victory against a ranked team, this one a 25-22 triumph against No. 21 Glenbard West on Saturday in Glen Ellyn.
The result came a week after the Dukes beat previously undefeated Downers Grove North in overtime, and it clinched the outright West Suburban Silver title for Downers North.
Before those signature victories, York (5-3, 3-2) lost consecutive three-point decisions to Hinsdale Central and Oak Park.
What flipped the switch?
‘‘It’s hard to say,’’ Dukes coach Don Gelsomino said. ‘‘I talked about this before the season: We’ve got a lot of names that were here when their older brothers were becoming really good at York, and that expectation’s tough. And I think we had to do a little bit of searching and be like, ‘You know what? Your brothers and all those guys you look up to — they’re gone. This is your team. We just have to move on and keep playing good football.’ ’’
After three long drives Saturday — two by Glenbard West (5-3, 3-2) and one by York — the Hilltoppers had a 15-7 lead with a minute left in the first quarter. Then the defenses settled in.
Roberts and Byford are committed to Purdue and Dayton, respectively, on defense while playing both ways for the Dukes. Byford has been doing it all year, but it’s a new wrinkle for Roberts.
‘‘I’ve had to go both ways with one of our key offensive linemen down this week,’’ Roberts said. ‘‘But I’m here for the team. I’ll do anything for this team.’’
Glenbard West is deep at the offensive skill positions, with quarterback AJ Rayford, Northwestern-bound tight end Brady Johnson, wide receiver Keyante Johnson and running backs Ace Harris and Jaylen McMiller.
Rayford and McMiller had touchdown runs of 53 and 28 yards, and Harris had 17 carries for 90 yards and a touchdown. Rayford ran for 90 yards and passed for 111.
‘‘They’re so good and fast on offense,’’ Gelsomino said. ‘‘It’s just so hard to replicate that. . . . When you play a wing-T style or flexbone style, you know the first drive or two you’re going to get hit. And you’re just not ready for the speed sometimes.’’
York neutralized the Hilltoppers’ playmakers by keeping them off the field. Georgas ran 27 times for 168 yards and a touchdown, often with Byford leading the way.
‘‘He’s a dog,” Georgas said. ‘‘It’s always awesome when he just blows someone up right in front of you. He just makes huge holes.’’
Quarterback Zack Assaad had a six-yard touchdown run and a 23-yard scoring pass to Tyler Fuentes that gave the Dukes a 22-15 lead 32 seconds before halftime. He was 14-for-18 for 124 yards with an interception.
York’s only points after halftime came on a 29-yard field goal by Conner Smith with 2:47 left, which broke a 22-22 tie. Glenbard West drove to the Dukes’ 35 but missed a 42-yard field-goal try as time expired.
‘‘ ‘Gelso’ always says this, but I think it really hit us: It’s always York vs. York,’’ Georgas said. ‘‘Those previous losses, we did it to ourselves. And I feel like these last two games, we played our best games and just fueled off each other.’’