Ela Township Board Salutes Flames Bantam Orange Team

The Ela Township Board had some special visitors at its November 16 meeting.  The Flames Bantam Orange team was invited to Ela Town Hall to be recognized for winning their championship in The Chicagoland Youth Football League (TCYFL) Pac 10.

 "Come on up boys and good job on your win," Lucy Prouty, township supervisor, said. 

The Flames extinguished the hopes of a championship win for the Elgin Bears on Saturday Nov. 13 by a score of 14-7. 

The victory distinguishes Bantam Orange as one of only three teams in league history to finish with a perfect season, with a 12-0 record.

Knox Park is the Flames home field, and TCYFL President Geoff Meyer says the support of the township has had a huge influence on the league's success.

"I can never thank them (the township) enough for everything they have done for our league. Without Ela Township, we wouldn't have a place to call our home," said Meyer.

"When the league was started, we used to play at Seth Paine and parents had to stand with their arms up and act as goal posts; that's where we came from," said Meyer.

Meyer says he was very impressed with the team and everyone involved. "They were a great group of boys that had a terrific season, from the coaching staff to the players to the parents, everyone was fantastic."

"Teams like that create unity and community," said Meyer.

When the league began, Meyer says there were five charter members.  That number has grown to 31, and there are currently 384 teams across northern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin.

"We've come a long way, and we couldn't have done it without the help of Ela Township," Meyer said. "Knox Park is helping to mold the future of our children." 

For more information about The Chicago Youth Football League, visit their website at www.tcyfl.net.