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DFRC Gold squad holds last practice before all-star game

Annual senior football contest set June 21 at University of Delaware
Gold receiver Matt Priestley of Middletown, center, goes for the pass while Milford’s Charles Shorts, left, and Joshua Devonish of Early College play tough defense. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
June 20, 2024

The DFRC Gold football team held its final scrimmage at Milford’s Briggs Stadium June 19. The squad will meet the Blue team Friday, June 21, at Tubby Raymond Field for the 2024 DFRC Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game.

Students from 48 schools throughout Delaware will represent their alma maters at the 68th annual game.

In addition to the athletes on the field, each game includes band members and cheerleaders along with student ambassadors from the DFRC Blue-Gold program. 

Each year, the Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens with Intellectual Disabilities distributes proceeds from its fundraising events to nonprofit organizations and agencies that enrich the lives of Delaware citizens with intellectual disabilities.

For more information about the game, go to dfrc.org/events/blue-gold-football-game.html.

Tre’von Paulson of Seaford catches a touchdown pass from Jacob Tiberi of Smyrna.
Eli Curran of Middletown puts a block on Charles Shorts of Milford.
Quarterback Jacob Tiberi of Smyrna hands off to St. Georges running back Cam Montgomery.
Receiver Kyle Custis of Sussex Central has the ball knocked away from Ja’khai Tilghman of Dover.
Xavier Limehouse of Laurel runs for a long gain.
Quarterback Johnathan Tindell of Lake Forest throws a screen pass.
Cape’s Lex Wescott runs after an interception behind the block of Charles Shorts of Milford.
The Gold cheerleaders are in back (l-r) Fathia Sanni (Caesar Rodney), Ashley Tisdale (Caesar Rodney), Kam’Dyn Thomas (St. Georges), team captain Devan Watkins (St. Georges), Giavanna Talamo (St. Georges), Kaylee Pawlikowski (Smyrna), Shania Caulk (Smyrna), Jalynn Green (Smyrna), team captain George Gibson IV (Smyrna), Gabrielle Baynum (Delmar), Shania Kelser (Delmar) and Makayla Blackburn (Delmar). In front are Kayla Kosmalski (Middletown), Lamajah Johnson (Lake Forest), Darrianna Hovington (Lake Forest), Taylor Mahoney (Odessa), team captain Maddie Lopez (Odessa), Chelsea Littleton (Laurel), Melanie Dasher (Seaford) and Kiara Harmon (Sussex Tech). Not shown is Lauren Minzer (Odessa).
Sussex Tech cheerleader Kiara Harmon represents the Ravens.
Lex Wescott and Brenn Scott represent the Vikings football squad. Scott is unable to play due to injury.
Zion Roach, left, represents Sussex Tech, while Lex Wescott will represent the Vikings of Cape.
Player Zion Roach, left, and cheerleader Kiara Hamon represent the Sussex Tech Ravens.
Coaching the Gold squad are (l-r) JD Messeck and Brandon Dooley of Woodbridge, Eston Ennis of Sussex Tech, Marvin Dooley of Woodbridge, team manager Nick Tiberi, Dom Trotta of Woodbridge, Pat Moffit of St. Andrews and team manager Terrance Walker.
Coaching the Gold squad is a family affair. Woodbridge head coach Marvin Dooley, center, coaches the Gold team with his sons Dom Trotta, left, and Brandon Dooley.
Garrett Boyles, left, stands with his cheerleader friend Kayla Kosmalski of Middletown. Kosmalski, 17, is breaking barriers and making history as the first contestant with Down syndrome to be crowned Miss Delaware Teen USA.
Tony Glenn, DFRC senior advisor to the board of trustees, stands with Garrett Boyles and Kayla Kosmalski.
Tony Glenn, senior advisor to the board of trustees, laughs with his friend Garrett Boyles after a little water accident.
Even though he is injured and can’t play in the game, Cape’s Brenn Scott is there to support his Blue-Gold teammates.
Kayla Kosmalski of Middletown performs as a flyer for the cheerleading squad. Kosmalski, 17, is breaking barriers and making history as the first contestant with Down syndrome to be crowned Miss Delaware Teen USA.
Kayla Kosmalski of Middletown performs as a cheerleader. Kosmalski, 17, is breaking barriers and making history as the first contestant with Down syndrome to be crowned Miss Delaware Teen USA.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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