Tommy Hosler's first varsity snap came on the biggest stage in Illinois high school football.
Two years ago, the York sophomore was a playoff call-up still nursing a Week 9 ankle injury when two-way starter Jimmy Conners went down with a foot injury in the first half of the Class 8A state championship against Loyola, Shaw Local's Joshua Welge reported. Hosler stepped in and made five tackles.
"First play, I'll be honest, I got my clock cleaned," Hosler told Shaw Local. "After that, I was ready to go. I was doing some damage."
Now a senior, Hosler has led the Dukes in tackles for two consecutive seasons. He enters the IHSA Class 8A playoffs with 78 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 2026, according to Shaw Local's playoff preview. York (6-3), seeded No. 19, hosts No. 46 Bloom Township (3-6) at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.
The Dukes were 3-3 before closing the regular season with three straight wins over Downers Grove North, Glenbard West and Lyons. The combined margin in those three victories was six points, Shaw Local reported.
Hosler played strongside linebacker as a junior but started this season at middle linebacker. Midway through the year, he switched back to strongside after sophomore Liam Larma moved to the middle.
York coach Don Gelsomino told Shaw Local that Hosler's motor stands out on film, saying the senior is almost always around the ball. At 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, Hosler does not have an imposing frame. He carries a 4.9 GPA and a 32 ACT score.
Hosler attended Visitation Catholic School in Elmhurst from preschool through eighth grade, the same school Conners attended. He considered IC Catholic before following Conners to York, Welge reported.
After high school, Hosler is weighing a Division III football offer from North Central College against pursuing a business degree at Carnegie Mellon or the University of Chicago, according to Shaw Local. First, he wants another deep playoff run.
York's playoff pedigree backs up that ambition. The Dukes have reached the postseason six straight years, with three consecutive semifinal appearances from 2022 through 2024 and a Class 8A runner-up finish in 2024, according to Shaw Local's preview.
On offense, senior quarterback Zack Assaad has thrown for 1,311 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. Running back Chris Georgas has rushed for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns. Defensive end Owen Roberts, a Purdue commit, has 31 tackles, six tackles for loss and 15 hurries.
Tickets for Friday's game are $6 plus a processing fee through GoFan or $8 cash at the gate, according to York High School Athletics.
A win would send the Dukes to No. 14 Downers Grove South (7-2) in the first round Oct. 30 or Oct. 31.
