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Play With The Best!

Play With The Best!

Football

NLYFA FOOTBALL

Junior Knights * Junior Warriors



Here at the NLYFA, we believe that excellence on the field begins with strong character. That's why our coaching staff spends so much time encouraging, leading and demonstrating good sportsmanship. Our philosphy pays off on the field, where we consistently produce Championship-winning teams. Come join our teams, and find out how we produce athletes who are ready for high school sports -- and life beyond.


Costs

2024 Registration: $245 per player
Fundraising costs:  $130 per player. Families pay $130 at the time of registration and receive a book of 26 raffle tickets.  Families may then sell the raffle tickets to earn their money back.  Raffle ticket stubs will be turned in at practice.

Payment Plans


We offer two payment options. You can opt to pay in full at the time of registration, or you can choose a plan that spreads payments over four months. 

Monthly payments are automatically charged as follows:

Jan 31 - $50
Feb 28 - $109
March 31 - $108
April 30 - $108

An additional $3 transactional fee is charged by our online administrator each month of the payment plan. If you register after a payment has already passed, you will be charged the amount due to date and the balance will be charged on the scheduled plan dates.

Expectations

Volunteer Duties:  Each family is required to volunteer for four credits during the season.  There is a $300 deposit that will be collected at equipment handout.  If all volunteer duties are met, the deposit will be returned. Otherwise, we will cash the check at the end of the season. 

Equipment:  Each player is provided with shoulder pads and a helmet, both of which must be returned at the end of the season.  We will collect a $300 deposit check at the time of equipment pick up. At the end of season, we will provide a date to return equipment. At this time your deposit will be returned.  Each player receives a jersey with their name and number that they keep at the end of the season. Players need to purchase their own cleats and integrated football pants at all levels.

Birth Certificates and Sports Physicals are required for each player.  Birth certificates are required for all, even if you have submitted in a previous year.  Sports physicals are due by the first day of practice
.

Practice and game commitments

 Practice:
- 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) from season start (late July) until school starts (mid-August).
- 4 days a week (Tuesday-Friday) at the start of the school year until the end of the season.
- Depending on team placement, practice times will begin and end between 5:30-8:00 pm. 



Games:
- Games start in the middle of August and run every weekend through early November.
- There are 8 regular season games and up to 4 additional playoff games, dependent upon each football team's advancement.
- Games are played on either Saturday or Sunday, at all home and away games, in good weather and bad.
-The 2024 game schedule can be viewed here when it becomes available.

Experience:
No previous football experience is required. All players get game experience in the competitive situation that best suits their ability.

Team placement:
Players are placed in their division according to their age and weight.  Please see weightmatrix2024.pdf for details.  

We have two teams: Jr. Knights and Jr. Warriors. Teams on both sides follow the same requirements and rules, and offer comparable experiences to their athletes. We are unable to honor placement requests and cannot guarantee on which team a new participant will be placed.

Siblings are placed on the same side of the organization. Remaining new participants will be put into a lottery to determine which side of the organization they will be placed on.



NLYFA Athletic Director - Chad Barger


Athletic Director - Mark Rimkus

Jr. Warriors Head Coaches
Superlight - Mitch Burns
Lightweight - Kevin McWilliams
Jr. Varsity - Adam Sommer and Kevin Curtain
Varsity - Chad Barger

Athletic Director - Rick Splant

Jr. Knights Head Coaches
Superlight - Geoff Youngberg
Lightweights - Kevin Fangerow
Jr. Varsity - Rick Splant
Varsity - Mike Malito

Forms

2019 ihsa sports physical.pdf



 

Content

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What do I need?  

Football – Integrated football pants, practice jersey, team t-shirt, mouthguard, cleats and football socks. Helmet, shoulder pads and game jersey is provided.

Where is Francis Field and the equipment shed?

Many practices and activities, including the Homecoming bonfire and equipment pick up, occur at Francis Field, 801 E. Francis Road in New Lenox. Our equipment shed is the smaller building directly west of main building when you enter the property.

What can I expect from a practice?

Football - While your coach can offer specifics about your team’s practices, you can assume that practices will happen rain or shine, unless there is lightening nearby. Practices will normally last between 90 minutes and two hours, and will include conditioning, scrimmages and football drills. Please bring plenty of water and dress accordingly for the weather. Bug spray is key in the late summer! Parents are welcome to stay and watch.
- 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) from season start (late July) until school starts (mid-August).
- 4 days a week (Tuesday-Friday) at the start of the school year until the end of the season.
- Depending on team placement, practice times will begin and end between 5:30-8:00 pm. 

Who is my coach?


2023 Jr. Warriors Head Coaches
Superlight - Alex Puccillo
Lightweight - Kevin McWilliams
Jr. Varsity - Adam Sommer and Kevin Curtain
Varsity - Chad Barger

2023 Jr. Knights Head Coaches
Superlight - Geoff Youngberg
Lightweights - Kevin Fangerow
Jr. Varsity - Rick Splant
Varsity - Mike Malito

What can I expect on a game day?

A great time!

Games start in the middle of August and run every weekend through early November. They could be held on either Saturday or Sunday. Generally, games start mid-morning with the Super Lightweight teams and progress to the older teams as the day goes on.

There are eight regular season games and up to four additional playoff games. Usually, about four of those are home games, held at LincolnWay Central (Knights) and LincolnWay West (Warriors).

For home games, we have bleacher seating, indoor restrooms and concessions provided by Joey’s Red Hots. Games are played in all weather, unless there is lightening nearby.

The game schedule for the season will be released as soon as it is provided by our league.

I’m sorry, what are these checks I’m writing?

Once you’ve paid your initial registration fee, we don’t have many additional costs. However, we will ask you to write two checks at equipment pick up: A $300 volunteer check and a $300 equipment check.

Equipment checks will be returned to you, uncashed, upon receipt of your helmet and shoulder pads at the end of the season. Volunteer checks will also be returned at that time, provided your family completed the required three volunteer credits throughout the season.

You want me to do what?

Volunteer! NLYFA is an entirely volunteer-run organization, from our coaches to our announcers. That’s why we need you to pitch in throughout the season.

Volunteer jobs range from collecting trash and running gameday raffles, to shooting videos and organizing homecoming events. You will receive a sign-up link at the beginning of the season, and you can visit our YouTube channel for instructional videos of our most common jobs.

What is involved in Homecoming?

We love having a great time with our football families! So, just like the high schools, we host a special Homecoming weekend each year.

Teams from all levels – both football and cheer -- will gather at Francis Field for a bonfire and pizza party. You’ll want to bring your family, folding chairs and bug spray. Then be ready for a good time!

On game day, there will be special festivities, decorations and prizes.

What is the End-of-Season Banquet?

This is our chance to recognize the hard work your kids put in throughout the season! Your team will gather for a meal, slideshow and awards to celebrate the year’s accomplishments.

Where can I find the game schedule?

Once it is released for the season, you’ll be able to click on it right here.

Contact

New Lenox Football Association
2328 E Lincoln Hwy, Suite 128
New Lenox, Illinois 60451

Email: [email protected]

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