The first time junior running back Nick Conroy touched the ball in York’s season opener against New Trier, it was not until the last few minutes of the second quarter.
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The Dukes called his number on a sweep play to the right, and he gained 10 yards. He got another touch on the next play, the identical sweep call, and turned it into a 28-yard gain.
Because it was working, York called the same play a third time in a row, and Conroy carried for another 9 yards. Despite dropping a 21-13 decision to the Trevians on Friday, the sweep turned out to be a popular play call for Conroy and the York offense.
“That is just our sweep play,” said Conroy, who lives in Elmhurst. “I knew it was going to be successful when my linemen were my lead blockers.
“One of them was (junior) Josh Mathiasen. I just followed him through, and cut off his back. … They are great blockers. They are a fantastic offensive line. I just knew with them it was going to be a successful play.”
The offensive line consisted of juniors Mathiasen, Tim Glavan, Jack Wall, Dan Wagner and senior center Hayden Snyder. They managed to gain traction against a talented Trevians defensive line.
Conroy’s impressive series in the first half earned him more carries in the second half, as he led the Dukes in rushing with 103 yards on 13 carries. It was his first game on the varsity level.
“I was feeling confident with myself, but I did not think I was going to do that well,” Conroy said. “I thought my offensive line did a tremendous job with what they did. That helped for me to get those yards and push through and have a successful night.”
Dukes coach Mike Fitzgerald, coaching his first game at York, was not entirely surprised that Conroy was ready to play at the varsity level.
“When I got hired, I went through all the film,” Fitzgerald said. “His vision is unbelievable, the way he sets up his blockers and the way he sees things. He is a very fluid runner, so I knew he was going to have a lot of success in this (spread) offense, especially with that offensive line in front of him.”
Senior KeVon Robinson also had a good night on the ground, rushing for 59 yards on 14 carries, including a 21-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to tie the game at 7-7.