11/06/2026
Dear KYFL,
As the 2026 football and cheer season comes to a close, I couldn’t be prouder of what this community accomplished together. With the support of an incredible board and an amazing group of coaches, the black and silver grew in ways we’ve never seen before.
This year, more than 350 athletes wore the black and silver across Little Knights flag football, tackle football, sideline cheer, competition cheer, and our first-ever girls flag football program. We saw record enrollment, earned two state competition bids in cheer, and joined the BGYFL. In that first year, we sent 5 of our teams to the playoffs. And in their very first season, our girls flag athletes earned a spot in the Super Bowl. There is without a doubt the "future looks bright" message is alive and strong.
To every coach who gave your time and energy to our athletes this season, thank you. Our program is a better place because of you. To every parent who believed in this feeder program and trusted us with your athlete’s development, thank you. You gave us the opportunity to help young people build their skills, develop character, and learn how to lead and be part of a team. I’m proud of the way our athletes represented Kaneland and carried on the tradition of wearing the black and silver with pride and respect.
To our KYFL board, you truly are difference makers. My gratitude to you all of current and past, could never be said enough. The standard was set higher year over year, and you continue to answer the call of whatever is asked as long as it meant a more special place for our Knights.
Thank you to Harter Middle School for giving our athletes a place to call home and a field to defend each weekend. Thank you to Kaneland High School for partnering with us to build a path for our future KHS Knights. Kaneland High School Athletics & Activities.
Coach Thorgesen, thank you for welcoming our young athletes into the KHS football family. The coaching clinics, the camps led by your players and coaches, and the guidance you’ve given our board have helped us create better opportunities for our athletes on and off the field. Coach Betsy, thank you for showing up at our practices and giving our cheer athletes the support they need to build their skills and take them to the next level. Our feeder program gets stronger every year because of the time and care you both put into it.
KYFL has been home for me for the last six years. I started as a parent cheering from the sideline, helped coach the next year, and was lucky enough to serve a little more each season. Some of the best relationships in my life came from this program. Coaching and serving on the board gave me a sense of purpose I didn’t expect when I first stepped onto that sideline. I truly believe we have the most incredible young athletes, parents, and coaches in the entire state of Illinois.
To our KYFL athletes, past, present, and future, thank you. To those who came before us, thank you for setting the standard for what it means to wear the black and silver. To the athletes who wore it this season, thank you for trusting your coaches, putting in the work, and taking pride in how you represented Kaneland. And to our future Knights, thank you for giving us a reason to keep building. I can’t wait to see what you bring to this program.
To our families and supporters, thank you for sticking with us through the changes and believing in what we were building for the kids coming up behind us.
I’ll always be grateful for what KYFL has given my family. It’s my hope that someone reading this will see a chance to serve on the KYFL board and help give the next generation of Kaneland Knights the kind of home this program has been for mine.
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Thank you for an incredible season and for all the years of opportunity to serve this program. Go Knights!
Jeremy Jordan
KYFL President
