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Gold defeats Blue in DFRC All-Star game

Gathered around buddy Justin Haggarty are (l-r) Arthur Potter from St. Andrew’s and Cape Henlopen’s Austin Mendes, assistant coach Mike Tkach and Pat Tkach. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
June 24, 2019

The Gold squad was down but not out, as they came back from a 24-7 deficit to take a 38-24 victory over the Blue team in the 64th annual DFRC Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game on Tubby Raymond Field at the University of Delaware.

The Gold squad scored the last 31 points of the contest to take the victory. The team was inspired by quarterback Troy Haynes from the Woodbridge team. Haynes had been chosen to be a Gold quarterback, but has been battling kidney cancer and is undergoing treatments in Texas. Four other Blue Raiders teammates, Gabe Wescott, Brock Keeler, Ja’mon Kane and Josh Propes took turns wearing his jersey during the game.

Kane earned the game’s Most Outstanding Player award. He rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries.

“When we were down, we just kept saying fight like 4,” said Cape’s Austin Mendes. “That kept us going. Winning the game for Troy. It was an awesome experience.”

“The Gold team was awesome,” said assistant coach Mike Tkach, who’s on the Cape coaching staff. “They bonded quickly. We also had a common theme – "Fight like 4" – a tribute to teammate Troy Haynes from the Woodbridge team.

“Like each time, it was an honor to coach the game. What people need to know is once you enter the DFRC family, you are in for life. I'll coach whenever asked. This year, two of our boys were selected, with one being my son Patrick. It was very special being able to coach him one more time before going off to play in college.

“The DFRC did a great job. It’s amazing how Tony Glenn, his staff and hundreds of volunteers pull this game off every year. So honored to be part of this family.”

“It was a great experience,” said Cape’s Pat Tkach. “It was awesome being with the buddies and making great friendships that will last forever.”

 

Gathered around buddy Justin Haggarty are (l-r) Arthur Potter from St. Andrew’s and Cape Henlopen’s Austin Mendes, assistant coach Mike Tkach and Pat Tkach. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Cape’s Austin Mendes gives a hand up to buddy Justin Haggarty.
DFRC 2019 game buddies Savannah Ernst, center, and Sean Burke are announced with 2019 game chair Gary Mensinger and Molly Burke.
Cape’s Jasmine Mayo, left, is presented with the Outstanding Gold Cheerleader Award from coach Jen Campbell.
Buddy Bear leads the buddies onto Tubby Raymond Field to meet their football players and cheerleaders.
Gold captains Ryan Fields of Middletown, Isaiah Barnes of Sussex Central, Gabe Wescott of Woodbridge, Brock Keeler of Woodbridge and Drew Fry of Middletown holds up Troy Haynes’ jersey during the coin toss. Haynes is undergoing treatment for kidney cancer.
Gold assistant coach Mike Tkach goes over pregame strategy with his linemen.
Ja’Mon Kane of Woodbridge puts a move on a Blue linebacker.
Cape’s Pat Tkach, top, and Jackson Rall of Caesar Rodney pull down a Blue ball carrier.
Gold players (l-r) Ahmir Gibson of Appoquinimink, Austin Mendes of Cape, Joshua Propes of Woodbridge and Cade Krueger of Middletown honor teammate Troy Haynes.
The Gold cheerleaders finish up a tough stunt.
Rae’mier Deshields of Laurel just misses the tackle on Blue’s Corahn Alleyne.
Cape’s Pat Tkach puts through the first PAT for the Gold squad.
Trey Hatfield of Sussex Tech, right, puts a move on Blue’s Dayton Swanhart of Newark High.
Gabe Wescott, right, from Woodbridge has a catch broken up by Daniel Douglas of Hodgson Vo-Tech.
Ja’Mon Kane of Woodbridge runs for a first down.
Ja’Mon Kane runs for a touchdown wearing Troy Haynes’ No. 4 jersey.

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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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