York football carries a three-game win streak into its Class 8A playoff opener against Bloom Township, with kickoff at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at York.

The No. 19-seeded Dukes (6-3) closed the regular season by beating the other three top teams in the West Suburban Silver: Downers Grove North, Glenbard West and Lyons. That final win came 16-14 over Lyons. The three victories were decided by a combined six points, according to Shaw Local's Friday Night Drive.

This is York's sixth straight playoff appearance. The program reached the Class 8A state championship game in 2024, finishing as runner-up, and made three consecutive semifinal appearances from 2022 to 2024.

Senior linebacker Tommy Hosler anchors the defense. He leads the Dukes in tackles for the second straight season with 78, plus 11 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Hosler's varsity career started in dramatic fashion: as a sophomore, he was pulled up for the 2024 playoff run and entered the state championship game against Loyola after two-way star Jimmy Conners went down with a foot injury. Hosler made five tackles in that game.

"First play, I'll be honest, I got my clock cleaned," Hosler told Shaw Local's Friday Night Drive. "After that, I was ready to go. I was doing some damage …"

At 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, Hosler carries a 4.9 GPA and a 32 ACT score. York coach Don Gelsomino told Shaw Local that Hosler's energy "jumps off the page" on tape.

Owen Roberts, a Purdue commit at defensive end who has also played offensive line this season, has recorded 31 tackles, six tackles for loss and 15 hurries.

On offense, running back Chris Georgas has rushed for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns. Senior quarterback Zack Assaad has thrown for 1,311 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. Wide receiver Anthony Massel leads York receivers with 38 catches for 280 yards.

No. 46 Bloom Township (3-6) is making its first playoff appearance since 2017. The Blazing Trojans started 3-1 but lost their final five regular-season games. Senior running back Luvert Paul Jr. has rushed for 515 yards and seven touchdowns. Defensive standout Kelonnie Owens has posted 51 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Head coach Dante Culbreath, formerly of Simeon, is in his second season with the program.

Tickets are available digitally through GoFan for $6 plus a processing fee, according to the York athletic department. Cash tickets cost $8 at the gate.

The winner advances to play at No. 14 Downers Grove South (7-2) in the second round.