Portage Park Cougars
The Portage Park Cougars are a group of travel teams that participates with other organizations within the Chicagoland AYF. The season starts monday July 25th, and lasts until the end of October. Practices are held in Portage Park during July / August M-F for 2 hours daily - not to exceed 10 hours a week - until the first game of the season. After the first game, and the players return to school, practice time is cut to 3 or 4 days a week - 2 hours daily - not to exceed 8 hours a week.
This year, all home games will be played at Portage Park. Games will be played as dictated by the TCYFL schedule on either Saturday or Sunday. Players are placed into different classes based on a combination of age and weight, which can be seen below:
Age / Weights
| 2011 Season | Max. Weight (1) | Max Age (2) |
|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight | ||
| Regular | 170 lbs. | 14 |
| Regular Striper (ineligible ball carrier) | Over 170 lbs. | 14 |
| Lightweight | ||
| Regular | 125 lbs. | 14 |
| "Younger/Heavier" | 135 lbs. | 12 |
| "Younger/Heavier -Striper" | 145 | 12 |
| "Younger/Heavier Exception -Double Striper" | (3) | 12 |
| Middleweight | ||
| Regular | 110 lbs. | 12 |
| "Older/Lighter" | 90 lbs. | 13 |
| "Younger/Heavier" | 120 lbs. | 10 |
| "Younger/Heavier -Striper" | 130 | 10 |
| "Younger/Heavier Exception -Double Striper" | (3) | 10 |
| Featherweight | ||
| Regular | 100 lbs. | 10 |
| "Older/Lighter" | 80 lbs. | 11 |
| "Younger/Heavier" | 110 lbs. | 8 |
| "Younger/Heavier -Striper" | 120 | 8 |
| "Younger/Heavier Exception -Double Striper" | (3) | 8 |
| Bantam | ||
| Regular | 90 lbs. | 8 |
| "Older/Lighter" | 60 lbs. | 9 |
| "Younger/Heavier" | 100 lbs. | 6 |
Notes:
1. The Maximum Weights are effective for the first game of the season. All weight limits for each level will increase by one-half pound per week for the entire season, including any playoff games. The Maximum Weights include minimum clothing and/or pad requirements.
2. Player age as of September 1st. Players cannot be enrolled in High School.
3. "Younger/Heavier Exception - Double Striper" players must be approved prior to gameplay by the TCYFL Executive Board and League Council, with a maximum of one "Double Striper" per team.