By Dan McGrath

Chicago Jesuit Academy repeated as champions of Leo’s Junior Flag Football League, downing Great Lakes Charter in a 43-30 shootout “under the lights” at Alumni Field on Friday, November 7.

The capacity crowd watched a back-and-forth battle all evening, much closer than the score suggests. CJA took the lead with a touchdown with less than two minutes remaining, then converted an interception into another score for the 13-point final margin.

Both teams finished the regular season with identical 7-1 records and advanced through two rounds of playoffs. 

“It might have been our best season so far,” League Commissioner Kevin McNair said after Season 4 came to a close. “Good teams, good games, good weather, good crowds all year.”

McNair, who doubles as Leo’s Admissions Director, appreciates the league as a recruiting tool. “I had about 20 kids from this year’s freshman class tell me their first exposure to Leo was through the Flag Football League,” he said. “We’re expecting another robust freshman class this year.”

Leo is grateful to Bears Care, the charitable arm of the Chicago Bears, for their sponsorship of the Flag Football League.