Grayslake North Jr Knights

Grayslake North Jr Knights is a fast‑growing, high‑impact 501(c)(3) youth football and cheer organization, and we’ve been building momentum since day one! Founded in December 2022, we proudly serve as the official feeder program for Grayslake North High School in D127. In our very first year, more than 200 athletes joined our football programs, and we’ve nearly doubled in size since! Powered entirely by passionate volunteers and strengthened by generous sponsors and donors, our program is thriving.

Our mission is simple and powerful: make football and cheer accessible to every boy and girl in grades K–8, while preparing them to shine in high school and beyond. We’re committed to building confidence, leadership, and lifelong friendships, creating a community where athletes and families grow together season after season.

Our program proudly partners with USA Football as part of our ongoing commitment to safety and excellence. This partnership ensures that every Jr Knights coach receives proper training and certification, and it also gives parents access to fantastic educational resources. In all three years of our existence, the Jr Knights have earned the USA Football Gold Seal, a powerful recognition of our coaches dedication to the safety of our players.

And one question we hear all the time: Do athletes need to live in‑district to participate?
Our answer: No. While we proudly mirror the values, look, and spirit of GNHS, because our purpose is to help grow their future programs we will never turn away an out‑of‑district athlete. Limiting access goes against everything we stand for. If a child wants to play football or cheer, we want them here.

FLAG PROGRAM INFO

Register: 2026 Spring Flag Grades K-8

Register: 2026 GIRLS ONLY Spring Flag Grades 2-8

Register: 2026 Flag and Tackle Coaching Application

SPRING FLAG INFORMATION

We are so excited for the Spring Flag season to start and to get back to some football! Starting this Spring, we’re thrilled to announce that we will be joining the Northern IL Youth Flag Football League (NIYFFL)! After hearing so much great feedback from our families over the past few seasons, we set out to find a league experience that better matches what our community is looking for and we’re excited for this next step forward.

More teams, more competition, more excitement! This new league means aiming to eliminate Jr Knights vs. Jr Knights matchups, games will be on Sundays.
Expanded divisions! Spring and Fall seasons will now include K–8 Flag, plus Girls Flag for grades 2–8. Teams remain grade‑based, but players can play up to stay with previous teammates. Unlike previously for girls flag, the league has several teams at each grade level.
Spring season runs from April to May and packs seven action‑filled weeks, featuring six regular‑season games plus a two‑day playoff series. And get ready, practices kick off in week of March 30! We will now have playoffs in both Spring and Fall.
- 7 weeks of games!
- Game day will be Sundays with first game being April 12. The league aims to start games at 11am, with the younger teams going first. Please note, the start time may be adjusted if necessary.
- No games Memorial Day Weekend
- Final games / playoffs will be May 30-31
Travel time remains the same 30min – 1hr, instead of traveling up north we will now be traveling towards Vernon Hills / Northbrook areas.
Registration closes 2/16/26, cost for the season is $150; this includes player jersey.

TACKLE INFO

Register: 2026 Tackle Season

Register: 2026 Tackle Athletic Scholarship

Register: 2026 Flag and Tackle Coaching Application

TACKLE INFORMATION

Tackle Registration is now OPEN! Regular tackle registration is $450, but right now you can lock in your spot for just $350 with our Early Bird Special.

Pre-season Camp for all Grade Levels: Will begin middle of July'26 and run Tuesday through Thursday 5:30pm/6-7:30pm/8pm. All players to attend, parents will be required to let their teams coach know if a player will miss camp.
Game Days: Tackle Games will be on Saturdays, first game will be middle of August, exact date to be provided at a later time. Season ends by 11/01/25 (this includes playoffs/consolation weeks / Super Bowl).
Tackle Athletic Scholarship: We believe every athlete deserves the chance to participate, regardless of financial circumstances. Scholarships ensure that talent, work ethic, and heart matter more than a family’s ability to pay. By offering scholarships, we reinforce that our program is about community, lifting each other up and ensuring no athlete is left on the sidelines due to financial hardship. Application due by 3/31/26. There are a limited number of scholarships available, so don't wait to apply!

Register: 2026 Sideline Cheer Registration

Register: 2026 Cheer Athletic Scholarship

Register: 2026 CHEER Coaching Application

2026 SIDELINE CHEER

We are so excited to offer a Sideline Cheer program for Fall'26 K-8th grades! NO PRIOR CHEER EXPERIENCE NECESSARY and all athletes welcome. Athletes will learn Grayslake North HS Cheers and perform a mini halftime routine. Participants will also have an opportunity to cheer at 2-3 home games (dependent on scheduling), as well as there will be an away squad which will provide an opportunity for 4 more games. Lastly, athletes will get to join us in any parades we participate in, some GNHS events and perform their cheers at the end of the season awards ceremony.

Practices are planned to take place at GNHS and begin late July. They will run 2 times a week in the evenings for all grade levels, times will be adjust once school starts.

Game schedule will be available by early / midAugust at the latest. All tackle games take place on Saturdays.

ITEMS NEEDED: water bottle and plain white colored shoes. Cheer shoes are preferred but gym shoes will be acceptable.

Registration cost: $200

Cheer Athletic Scholarship: We believe every athlete deserves the chance to participate, regardless of financial circumstances. Scholarships ensure that talent, work ethic, and heart matter more than a family’s ability to pay. By offering scholarships, we reinforce that our program is about community, lifting each other up and ensuring no athlete is left out due to financial hardship. Application due by 3/31/26. There are a limited number of scholarships available, so don't wait to apply!

There are a lot of things that go into youth football feeder program, one of the main items are expenses.

If you, or some you know, would like to learn more on how you can help us please reach out to info@grayslakenorthjrknights.com or visit our sponsor link.