York

Matchups are in place for this weekend's IHSA state semifinals.

Third-round IHSA football playoff matchups are in place. Who stands in your team's path to the state semifinals?

First-round playoff action last weekend witnessed both expected results and huge upsets. Area teams now prepare for their Round 2 opponents.

York knew it needed to win Friday's night home tilt against Hinsdale Central to have any chance of reaching the postseason. John Whitelaw had other ideas.

The math is simple for York’s football team.
If the Dukes win their final two regular season games, they are in the playoffs. Lose one and the squad will be sitting at home for the postseason for the first time since 2003.
 

Hinsdale Central at York

WHEN 7:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE 355 W. St. Charles Rd., Elmhurst

RECORDS Hinsdale Central 5-2 (3-1 West Suburban Silver); York 3-4 (2-3)

OUTLOOK York is coming off a tough test against undefeated Glenbard West, and it does not get much easier for the Dukes, who now have to deal with the high-octane offense of Hinsdale Central and quarterback John Whitelaw.

A muddy Duchon Field could not even slow down Glenbard West on Saturday, as the Hilltoppers dominated the action on both sides of the ball in a 42-7 victory over York in Glen Ellyn.

There was a buzz along the York sideline this past Friday evening.

There was energy and excitement, promise and potential, hunger and hope.

Then, before the Dukes knew it, there was emptiness.

The memory came quickly to Dan Walsh. For Nick Zerante, it took a little time.

Eight years ago, the two friends met on the football field at York High School in what some in Elmhurst now consider a legendary matchup between Walsh’s Visitation team and Zerante’s Immaculate Conception.

Walsh was in seventh grade at the time, Zerante in eighth, but the game was so big it was moved to the high school field.

And it lived up to the hype.