2026

We have teams for the 8th, 7th, 6th and 5th grades. All players play on the grade level they are in school. 4th graders can play on the 5th grade team provided that they are at least 70 lbs on Monday August 3rd, 2026 and understand that they will play with their school grade level in all future seasons.

The 2026 Cardinal Football season begins Monday August 3rd and ends on Saturday October 31st, with the possible exception for an additional week for the 8th grade championship game on Saturday November 7th.

Practices are held at Mequon's Lemke Park 10301 W. Donges Bay Rd. Mequon, WI 53097

Home games are played at Homestead High School's football stadium on their turf field at 5000 W. Mequon Rd. Mequon, WI 53092

Away games are played at various fields in our area. The league we play for, the WI AAYFL has teams as far north as Kewaskum, as far south as Lake Geneva and as far west as Oconomowoc.

Practices will be held Monday-Friday from 8/3/26 to 8/28/26 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Lemke Park in Mequon. We will only practice Monday 8/31, Tuesday 9/1, and Wednesday 9/2 on the week before Labor Day. There are no Cardinal Football activities from Thursday 9/3 until resuming practice on Tuesday 9/8. After Tuesday 9/8, each team is allowed a maximum of 6 hours per week for organized team activities outside of games per AAYFL rules.

Each team will play eight games on Saturdays starting on 8/29/26 with the season ending the last weekend of October. We do not have any activities on Labor Day weekend. Prior to the season, each team will know their opponents and locations for the first six games. The final two games are dependent upon the 8th grade playoffs so the opponent, location and game time are not set until the week of those games.

What time are games on Saturdays? 

Most games are played at the following times:

• 8th Grade: 9 am
• 7th Grade: 10:45 am
• 6th Grade: 12:30 pm
• 5th Grade: 2:00 pm

Games do not always conclude on schedule so there are days when the later games do not start on schedule. Occasionally, games are played at different times on Saturdays depending on field availability.

Equipment

What equipment is needed?

The registration fee covers all football equipment and uniforms with the exception of football cleats.

When is equipment hand out?

Equipment will be handed out during the first week of August.  Equipment will not be issued without a player and parent/guardian present as the equipment must be sized properly and the equipment form must be signed.

When do I return equipment?

Equipment will be turned in early in November. All equipment other than T-shirts must be turned in on that date. 

What does my child wear to practice?

The equipment to be worn each day will be communicated by the organization president and/or head coaches. Players are also required to bring a large water jug with their name written on it.