Super 25 countdown: York

Updated: August 2, 2011 2:08PM

Perhaps it's because they play in the shadow of West Suburban Silver kingpin Glenbard West.

Maybe it's because people think first of cross country coach Joe Newton's Long Green Line.

But if York football has been overlooked a bit in the past, that could change this fall. Yes, the Dukes graduated a potent 1-2 offensive punch from last year's 9-2 Class 8A playoff qualifier in quarterback Jim Nudera and running back Ryan Kent. But there's plenty of talent returning and the current senior class - which has averaged nine wins the past three seasons - knows a thing or two about success.

No wonder there's an upbeat mood at York, which is No. 25 in the Sun-Times preseason Super 25 rankings.

"We have set one goal: to get down to Champaign and win that state championship," said senior linebacker Nick Skuteris, the leader of the York defense and a fourth-year varsity player.

Skuteris knows the Dukes have never played for a state title - their deepest playoff runs were semifinal berths in 1995 and 2006 - but he and sixth-year coach Bill Lech believe the pieces are in place for a special season.

"I think I've got some neat toys," said Lech, who's guided the Dukes to five IHSA playoff berths. "I'm excited about my team."

Even after Nudera and Kent's departure, the offense boasts some impact players at the skill positions in bookend wideouts David Byerley (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) and Jordan Preuss (6-5, 175) along with running back Ken Boesenberg. Lech has switched offensive schemes to take advantage of his receivers' big play potential, going from a double-wing to a spread.

Who will be throwing to Byerley and Preuss remains to be seen, with senior Joe Lucca and junior Andrew Iwaszkiewicz competing for the quarterback job.

"It's kind of a good predicament," Lech said. "I've got two kids who can play instead of no kids who can play."

Up front, the Dukes will build around returnees Jake Ruprecht (6-3, 240) and Lucas Rasnic (6-2, 220).

Skuteris will anchor a defense that held eight opponents to 16 points or fewer in 2010 and could be even tougher to score on this season.

"Last year was our first year running the 3-4," Skuteris said. "This year, being the second year, everyone is going to pick up on it a lot faster."

Lech feels the same way: "When I talk to my defensive guys, they all think we're going to be better than we were last year."

Other players to watch on that side of the ball include free safety Jake Rzeszutko (5-6, 145), who "plays like he's 6-2, 190," according to Lech; tackle Paul Golen (6-4, 285) and linebacker John Shipman.

And the Dukes aren't lacking in talent on special teams, either. "I think I've got the best kicker in the area," Lech said of Sean McDaid.

If everything comes together, a Week 8 game at Glenbard West could go a long way toward deciding the West Suburban Silver champ.

"We definitely respect them," Skuteris said of the Hilltoppers, who shared the league title with York and Lyons last season. "In our conference, we look at them as the measuring stick of where we want to be."

This fall, though, the Dukes also might be one of the teams opponents judge themselves against.

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