D
ukes return talent on both sides of the ball.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
York football coach Matt Monken is in his fourth season at the helm, a number he feels is starting to pay dividends in his program.
“These kids have been in the system,” he said. “This is my fourth year with these seniors. They understand it and they get it. It’s easy for them to do things and it’s easier because they know where we want them on the field and they know how to execute what we want to do.”
York is coming off a 2016 campaign where it went 2-7, but Monken’s current squad is filled with players who gained valuable varsity experience a year ago. They should now be able to really compete as they have the experience and the knowledge to compete with other teams now. Before the new season starts, the coach has expressed his desire to motivate the team by contacting a motivational speaker, such as Brett Favre. By visiting https://www.sportsspeakers360.com/speaker/brett-favre.php, the coach should be able to book him and inspire his team to compete to an even higher standard this season. Hopefully, that will help them out.
Back on the offensive side of the ball are seniors Grant Melion (running back, 5-11, 185), Joey Jaeger (fullback, 5-11, 210), TJ Juneman (tight end, 6-0, 205), Tommy Pirvu (offensive line, 6-2, 210), Ryan Blessing (offensive line, 6-1, 190) and Ben Bernard (offensive line, 6-4, 230). Also back are senior Joey Chiappetta (wide receiver, 6-1, 170) and junior KeVon Robinson (running back, 6-0, 195).
Melion is a three-year starter for York, while Robinson started as a sophomore. York has a total of seven starters back on offense (Bernard, Blessing, Pirvu, Juneman, Jaeger, Melion and Robinson).
York has made a change at quarterback where senior David Leonard (5-9, 160) takes over the position.
“David worked hard in the off-season,” said Monken. “He beat out a couple other guys. David is doing a nice job for us.”
Leonard takes over for senior Charlie Pakenas (6-1, 170), who moves to the defensive secondary. “We needed some more speed on defense and he has the skills to play corner,” said Monken. “Charlie has taken to the cornerback position and is doing a nice job.”
Offensively, Monken said his squad will put a little more emphasis this season on the passing game.
“We made some strategic changes and are doing some things differently on offense,” he said. “We are going to focus more on throwing the ball.”
That’s not to say York is going to take its running game and throw it in the trash can. “We have three really good running backs that help us offensively in what we needed to do,” said Monken. “We’re still going to focus on running the ball and that’s something I think you have to do in our conference. There are a lot of good teams in the conference and these are the things you have to do to win games in the conference. And to get into the playoffs you have to win games in your conference.”
Back on defense for York are the likes of Zane Heemsoth (linebacker, 6-5, 210), Ben Melion (defensive line, 6-1, 235), Bo Thomas (linebacker, 5-11, 205), Trey Corriero (safety, 5-10, 165), Artie Renier (safety, 5-8, 150), Jack Wagner (defensive line, 5-8, 175), Clayton Davey (defensive line, 5-9, 225). Davey played offensive line last year.
An addition to the defense is senior linebacker Nic Bauer, an Elmhurst resident who formerly played at Nazareth Academy.
Heemsoth, Corriero, Davey, Kentra, Wagner and Ben Melion all started last season for York. Monken has been particularly pleased with the play of Heemsoth at linebacker. “Zane started all nine games at linebacker last year as a sophomore,” he said. “He’s a really good player. He’s going to do a really nice job for us. When you have a kid like Zane at linebacker, he’s going to take on that leadership role. Kids look to him. He’s a guy who really knows this defense.”
Monken said quickness will be a key on defense for the Dukes this fall. “We will be faster on defense and, again, that’s something that will help in our conference,” he said. “You have to have speed on defense and you have to move and get to the ball. We have kids in the secondary who have speed and can cover the pass.”
Monken likes the direction the football program at York is headed in . “We had a very good off-season that prepared us for this year,” he said. “We had a really good off-season with the weight-lifting program. These kids have bought into the program and they are pushing themselves and setting goals and making goals. They have been together as a group and did things that you hope to see in the off-season. We have a lot of multi-sport athletes here at York, which is great and those guys stayed committed to the weight room. We have a cohesive unit that continues to work hard and hopefully that translates onto the field.”
Monken knows his team will be in for battles throughout the West Suburban Conference Silver Division schedule.
“There are teams in our conference ranked in the top 20,” said Monken. “That speaks volumes to our conference and to the coaches in our conference who are doing a great job preparing the kids. The other side of the conference is just as tough with Leyden and Willowbrook having great seasons. Hinsdale South is usually up there and Downers Grove South is usually right there. With our conference and the two conference crossover games, it’s a battle. We look at it as a positive. If we can play within our conference and win games and get into the playoffs, we feel we can play with anybody within the playoffs. Our schedule prepares the kids. There is no letup. It’s a lot of fun. A lot of teams would love to play these highly ranked teams. We get the opportunity to do that almost every week.”
York opens the season Friday with a non-conference game against New Trier.
