Naperville Patriots program sends six teams to youth football national championships

New England isn't the only place home to a Patriots football dynasty.

There's one right here in Naperville, too.

In 10 seasons, the Naperville Patriots youth football program has sent teams to national championships year in and year out, winning three national titles. The Patriots, which this year have 210 kids in the program, have filled area football teams with talented players.

And this week, the Patriots boast six teams — the most ever — in the United Youth Football League national tournament that kicks off today at the Otis Andrews Sports Complex in Plant City, Fla.

“It's an immense accomplishment for the coaches who put the time in and the kids,” said Doug DiFusco, an administrator for the Patriots, who has coached Patriots teams at nationals in the past. “They've done a tremendous job.”

Patriot teams won national championships in 2007, 2008 and 2009; placed second at nationals twice; third three times; and fourth twice. In 2010 its Junior Midget team, a group that went 86-2 in its years through the program, traveled to Super Bowl XLIV, where it beat a much bigger team from a program sponsored by ex-NFL great Deion Sanders.

“I don't think that group will ever be duplicated,” DiFusco said.

Among the many area standouts who are Patriot alumni are Neuqua Valley's Danny Dudek; Waubonsie Valley's Austin Guido; ex-Naperville North running back Nick Mlady; and Joliet Catholic running back Malin Jones, a Northwestern recruit.

“It's remarkable the amount of exposure we've got,” DiFusco said.

Patriots teams competing at nationals this week are the fourth-grade All-Americans coached by Jason Maples; the Cadet team (grades four and five) coached by Jim Olita; the Junior Pee Wee team (grades five and six) coached by Frank Grooss; the Pee Wee team (grades six and seven) coached by Joe Costello and Mark Dodson; the Junior Midgets (grades seven and eight) coached by Brian Kronewitter; and the eighth-grade All-Americans coached by Joe Malave.

The undefeated eighth-grade All-Americans, rated one of the top two teams in the country, averages 39 points per game and gives up less than 2 points per game.

“It's a pretty talented group of kids,” DiFusco said. “They are very physical, they can run it from a different amount of sets and they can spread you out and create matchup problems throwing it. They have a great opportunity to win a national championship.”

DiFusco wouldn't be surprised if four or five Patriots teams play for national titles, he said.

It's a demanding week.

Games start today and continue through Saturday. Teams must win three games over a six-day period to claim a national title.

“That's a lot of football in a short time,” DiFusco said. “It's not only who's the best, but you better be well-conditioned and a hard-nosed group.”