May 19, 2024
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Led by Jake Melion’s 257 yards, York runs past Downers Grove North in matchup of unbeatens

Melion scores three TDs in 32-21 Dukes’ win

By Scott Schmid
York's Jake Mellon (30) celebrates a touchdown run through the Downers North defense during football game between York at Downers Grove North. Sept 29, 2023.

York at Downers Grove North York's Jake Melion (30) celebrates a touchdown run through the Downers North defense during football game between York at Downers Grove North. Sept 29, 2023. (Gary E Duncan Sr. for Shaw Local)

DOWNERS GROVE – With the holes his offensive line has been opening up, Jake Melion said it’s been getting easier to run the ball each week.

That’s scary news for the opposition.

The York senior running back stole the show in the West Suburban Silver showdown of unbeatens Sept. 29, rushing for 257 yards in the Dukes’ 32-21 road win over Downers Grove North.

[ Photo store: Downers Grove North vs. York ]

Melion scored three touchdowns, two coming on runs of 6 and 69 yards and the third on a 31-yard pass from Sean Winton, to give York (6-0, 3-0) a 19-14 lead at halftime.

”They’ve [the O-line] been great all year,” said Melion, who had 213 yards and three scores the previous week. “Without them, I couldn’t run the ball. Also props to our tight ends and wide receivers. Everybody has been doing a great job blocking.

”This feels great. They (Downers North) are a heck of a team. They were undefeated for a reason. And it was a great atmosphere on their homecoming. It was a great win. I’m proud of our team.”

York's Jake Mellon (30) looses the ball out of bounds while being pursued by Downers Grove North's Owen Thulin (5) during football game between York at Downers Grove North. Sept 29, 2023.

York at Downers Grove North York's Jake Melion (30) looses the ball out of bounds while being pursued by Downers Grove North's Owen Thulin (5) during football game between York at Downers Grove North. Sept 29, 2023. (Gary E Duncan Sr. for Shaw Local)

The Dukes, who also received a 22-yard score from Jimmy Conners, racked up almost 350 rushing yards behind the line of Colin Cushing, Adam Nix, Austin Bagdasarian, Gavin Honken and Max Jaras. Cushing and Honken are the only returning starters from a year ago. Conners, who also notched a fumble recovery, finished with 67 yards on eight attempts.

”Our coaches always draw up a great game plan,” said Cushing, the Dukes’ center, “and they do a great job scouting. For us, we’ve just been playing as a unit every single week. That camaraderie we have on the O-line, we understand what we need to do to execute.

”We are undersized as a line but our technique and our focus this year has been unreal. It’s so fun [blocking for these guys]. Props to Jake Melion and not just him, Jimmy Connors, too. They make us look good. If we miss a block, they make guys miss. Credit to our whole offense, we’ve got a good thing going.”

Winton finished 8 of 12 through the air for 125 yards, also connecting with Luke Mailander for a 35-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Defensively, York held the Trojans to 23 yards rushing.

Downers Grove North's Owen Thulin (5) makes a catch on a perfectly thrown pass during football game between York at Downers Grove North. Sept 29, 2023.

York at Downers Grove North Downers Grove North's Owen Thulin (5) makes a catch on a perfectly thrown pass during football game between York at Downers Grove North. Sept 29, 2023. (Gary E Duncan Sr. for Shaw Local)

”One thing about this group, they are competitive and they are confident,” York coach Mike Fitzgerald said. “But they stay even keel. They believe in each other and they trust each other.

“That’s a great football team we played, a great program. [Joe] Horeni has done a great job. We kind of came in at the same time and these games keep getting better and better.”

Downers North (5-1, 3-1), playing without star running back Noah Battle, saw quarterback Owen Lansu throw for 223 yards. The sophomore tossed two touchdowns to Oliver Thulin while also finding the end zone on a 1-yard sneak.

Thulin had five receptions for 63 yards. Owen Thulin caught seven passes for 113 yards. Vince Davero tallied four catches for 48 yards. Westin Waughop had an interception.