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DFRC holds 69th annual Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game

Cape grad and Gold squad tight end Zane Coulbourne hoists his buddy Charlie Honeysett at the buddy charge of the field before the 69th annual Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
June 23, 2025

The 69th annual DFRC Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game was held June 20 on the turf of Raymond Field at the University of Delaware, where 80 players put on their alma mater’s helmet for the final time to raise funds for the Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens, which supports individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The game’s score ended with the Blue team taking a 48-18 victory. But the game score didn’t really matter, as the players carried on the tradition and the spirit of the DFRC.

The Blue team’s Brysheem Davis (Hodgson) earned game MVP honors, but every player, ambassador, cheerleader and band member involved with the game took away the MVP experience as they created a strong bond with their buddy during the week through the Hand-in-Hand Program. 

“It’s amazing to watch individuals step out of their comfort zone and build relationships, some that literally last a lifetime,” said Gold assistant coach Mike Tkach of Cape, who has coached eight DFRC games. “The DFRC all-star game is the longest-running all-star game with the same cause. One of my favorite parts of the whole evening occurs before the game, and that is the buddy charge onto the field to find their player or ambassador for a final hug and photo. It’s emotional, but also an amazing part of that relationship they have created and shared over the past few months. For me, it’s always been about how I could give to DFRC, and that is my time and coaching abilities and another opportunity to develop relationships with players from around the state.”

The Blue-Gold game, which began in 1956, has now raised nearly $7 million in support of programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

“Blue-Gold has absolutely changed my life,” said Gold cheerleader Carly Favoroso of Cape. “I have made lifelong friendships, gained experience with amazing cheer coaches and, overall, really felt and saw what inclusion can look like when we all come together. As Miss Milton’s Teen, I am constantly trying to find new and exciting opportunities, and I’m so grateful this opportunity had its way of finding me.”

“Playing on the same team with players that I played against for four years has been a really great experience,” said Cape grad and Gold squad tight end Zane Coulbourne. “We came together and built bonds quickly that I feel will last a lifetime – we are family. I have a passion for football. My dad wore No. 44 for Cape, and I have a passion for helping others and love working with kids. It meant the world to me that I was selected to work with my buddy Charlie Honeysett. We bonded quickly and will be best buds for a long time, possibly forever. I walk away from this DFRC week being a new person and would love to work with them in the future.” 

 

The buddies rush to their partners on Tubby Raymond Field before the DFRC Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game.
Gold cheerleader Carly Favoroso of Cape gets a hug from her buddy Aven Subrick.
The Gold squad captains are (l-r) Emory Womack (St. Georges), Malik Bell (Sussex Central), Ta’Leel Trower (Early College) and Joey Miniconzi (Middletown).
Gold quarterback Julius Timmons (Caesar Rodney) holds his buddy Isaiah Romeus.
Gold cheerleader Carly Favoroso of Cape displays her poster that hung on the home gold side of Tubby Raymond Field.
DFRC buddies Charlie Honeysett and Aven Subrick stand with their Gold teammates (l-r) Nate Roscoe (Smyrna), Joey Miniconzi (Middletown), Collin Campbell (Middletown), Zane Coulbourne (Cape Henlopen), Carly Favoroso (Cape Henlopen) and Bodie Frederick (Cape Henlopen).
Friends playing against each other in the game are Gold squad’’s JaJuan Sturgis (Sussex Central) and Blue Squad’s Mitch Cummings (Salesianum).
Blue team member Ryan Tattersall (Wilmington Friends) gets a pregame good luck hug from his buddies Autumn, left, and Samantha Bender.
The Coach Jack and Peg Gregory Outstanding Leadership Award was presented to Emory Womack of St Georges. Shown are (l-r) Tom Souter of Crown Trophy, Emory Womack of St. Georges Tech, DFRC Executive Director Marie Vacca and Dr. Tony Glenn, honorary game day chair and former DFRC executive director.
The Barb and Winnie Spence Hand-in-Hand Award is given to the participants who show an extraordinary relationship with their buddy during the course of the year’s Blue-Gold activities. Shown are (l-r) Regina Miller, Newark Charter School, winner of Barb and Winnie Spence Hand-in-Hand Award; Barbara Spence; Michael Hernandez, Charter School of Wilmington, winner of Barb and Winnie Spence Hand-in-Hand Award; Michael Aldas, buddy of Michael Hernandez; and LJ Aldas, Charter School of Wilmington, winner of Barb and Winnie Spence Hand-in-Hand Award and past Lions district governor; John Burris, Lions Club district governor; and Joan Bestpitch.
The Gold team gets a last-minute pregame picture.
The Blue squad gets a last-minute picture before the DFRC game.
Gold team receiver Noah Hoff (Appoquinimink) snags a pass from QB Julius Timmons (Caesar Rodney) for a long gain.
Cape grad and Gold squad tight end Zane Coulbourne makes a crushing block on Blue’s Mitch Cummings (Sallies).
Gold defensive back Ji’Kare Banks (Woodbridge) makes shoe-sting tackle of Blue receiver Brysheem Davis of Hodgson.
Emory Womack (St. Georges) snags a pass on the sideline.
Gold defensive back Eric Dorsey (Smyrna) just misses a knock down in front of Blue receiver Marlon Sparks (Hodgson).
Tate Walls (Laurel) carries the ball for the Gold squad while Blue’s Mitch Cummings (Sallies) loses his helmet.
Gold head coach Jed Bell (Milford) ponders his next move.
Darius Miller (Lake Forest) runs for a touchdown, but it’s called back on a penalty.
Cape grad and Gold squad tight end Zane Coulbourne carries out his block on Blue’s Jayvion Pollard of Christiana.
Emmanuel Alexander (St. Georges) pass blocks on Mekhi Gaiters (William Penn).
The Gold cheerleaders perform between the third and fourth quarters.
Gold head coach Jed Bell (Milford) tells his squad how proud he is of the class they showed.
Gold assistant coach Mike Tkach (Cape) has coached in the DFRC Blue Gold game eight times. The state championship coach (Milford 2008) has coached six members of the Gold coaching staff during his football career.

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