While there are many great football programs in the area their main focus is just that...football. At GNJK our goal is to not only provide a football (or cheer) program but to also give back and be involved in the community. Part of our mission is to help encourage the players to be good citizens and one way to do that is to help others. We recently adopted a highway near GNHS, helped out our local 5th graders with their pet donation drive, we are providing free speed & agility clinics AND are always looking for ways to get more involved. Have an idea? Send it to info@grayslakenorthjrknights.com.

We are part of the SEYFA League which consists of communities that are both in IL and WI. The furthest we travel up north for games is about 1 hour away. SEYFA's values align with ours, which was the reason we chose to join them. Some examples of those are that SEYFA only requires one weigh in for the entire season which is huge for player mental health. Many other leagues require a weigh in at every game which sometimes results in players starving themselves just to meet weight. SEYFA is also a developmental league and aligns with our mission to make sure that all players get to play. After all, players can only develop and get better if they are provided the opportunity to do so. 

Our answer is simple, we are a feeder program for GNHS, our tackle uniforms and values resemble theirs and the point of our program is to help grow theirs.  However, if an out of district athlete wants to play for us we will not turn them away. If we did, that would go against our mission of making football available to all. 

Mandatory conditioning will take place the week of July 15 and July 22 and is 2xs a week usually Tues-Thur 5:30pm/6-7:30pm/8pm.

Regular practices will start the week of July 29, 1st-4th grade practice 3xs a week and 5th-8th grades practice 4xs a week (moving to 3xs a week after 1st game). All are 6pm-8pm, these may get slightly adjusted as we get further into season to start at 5:30pm and end around 7:30pm due to daylight. 

Season ends by 10/26 (this includes playoffs/consolation weeks / Super Bowl). If teams do not make it to the Super Bowl they will be done 10/19/24.

All of our practices take place at Grayslake North HS. 

Our teams are structured by grade level which allows the players to play and develop with the same players as they move through the program. This results in lifelong friendships which we think is pretty awesome!  1st and 2nd grade is always a combined team. 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 can either be combined as grouped or be individual grade teams. This is dependent on the number of players that join that team. As our program continues to grow, our goal is to have teams at each individual grade level for grades 3-8.

Yes, there are weight restrictions for ball carriers. See below for what they are. Players above the listed weight become strippers with limited positions and can only play on the line. 

1/2nd Grade  - 75lbs

3/4th  Grade - 95lbs

5th Grade Team - 115lbs

6th Grade Team (applies to combined 5/6 grade team) - 135lbs

7th Grade Team - 155lbs

8th Grade Team (applies to combined 7/8 grade team) - 175lbs

No, while there are weight limitations for ball carriers at every grade level your player will not be bumped to a different team because of their weight. However, the player may become a striper for the season limiting which positions he can play.  Several of the communities around here will bump a player up to higher level teams because of their weight. Unfortunately, many times the player is not mentally ready to be placed on a higher level team and ends up struggling. 

Games are played on Saturdays, we do not play Labor Day weekend. Home games will be at Grayslake North High School. 

The player is required to have football cleats, a mouth guard, and a water bottle. They will receive a practice jersey, helmet, pads, practice / game pants, and a game jersey. All but the game jersey will need to be returned to GNJK at the end of the season.