York football team finishes runner-up in Class 8A

DAN CHAMNESS PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

    The York High School football team took an early lead in its Class 8A championship game showdown against two-time defending state champion Loyola Academy Saturday night at Illinois State University, and came back to tie the contest 14-14 in the second quarter. But Loyola pulled away from the Dukes and won 35-14 to claim its third consecutive Class 8A crown. However, the Dukes’ 2024 season was one for the record books. They became the first football team in school history to advance to the championship game. York also has reached the state semifinals three consecutive seasons.