Gold team practices ahead of all-star football game

69th annual contest slated for June 20 at University of Delaware

Cape grad Zane Coulbourne and assistant coach Mike Tkach will represent the Gold team in the annual Blue-Gold All-Star Game. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Dan Cook

June 19, 2025

The 69th annual DFRC Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game is set for Friday, June 20, at the University of Delaware, where the best senior players from Delaware will show off their skills one last time representing their respective alma mater.

The Gold team held its last practice June 18 at Milford High School’s turf field, allowing parents, teammates and friends to see their all-star before they lace up their chin strap on Tubby Raymond Field.

The head coaches are Dave Collins (Hodgson/Blue) and Jed Bell (Milford/Gold).

The game is organized by the Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizen, which aims to support and enrich the lives of Delawareans with intellectual disabilities. The game pits all-stars from the northern part of the state versus those from southern schools.

The event includes not only football players, but also cheerleaders, band members and student ambassadors, all of whom are paired with buddies with intellectual disabilities.

The Blue-Gold game is a longstanding tradition in Delaware, dating back to 1956.

Funds raised from the game benefit DFRC, which has awarded more than $6.4 million in grant money since 1956.

For more information about tickets, go to https://bluehens.evenue.net/events/BCC-DFRC.

Coaching the Gold squad are (l-r) Mike Tkach, Milford/Cape; Eston Ennis, Sussex Tech; Quinn Abbott, St. Georges; Jed Bell, Milford; Alan Preston, Delmar; Phillip Townsend, Indian River; JD Messick, Woodbridge.

Cape and Sussex Central are represented by (l-r) Sam Pucci, Bradley Chavez, Jajuan Sturgis, Zane Coulbourne and Malik Bell.

Gold team cheerleaders in back are (l-r) Alexa Dickerson (Caesar Rodney), Amberlynn Jones (CR), Mackenzi Miles (CR), Ellie Cooper (Laurel), Kali Butcher (Smryna), Alexandra Passero (Smyrna), Kya Gaines (Delmar), Janaih Thornton (St. Georges), Jordyn Bugam (Dover) and Addison Pentoney (Sussex Tech). In front are Alivia Smith (Central), Jayda Harris (Central), Ava White (Middletown), Saniya Dagley (Smyrna), Samantha Smyth (Odessa), Isabelle Lentelle (Odessa), Caraline Lawson (Odessa), Carly Favoroso (Cape) and Gabby Parillon (Cape).