Though Delaware high school football players have been out of action since December, some of the top seniors in the state will return to the field one more time next week.
The 54th Annual Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens with Intellectual Disabilities Blue-Gold All-Star Football game will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at University of Delaware Stadium, Newark.
The game is the event that helped launch the DFRC more than 50 years ago, and brings together Delaware’s top high school senior football players.
While talent is important to make sure the product on the field is entertaining, the game’s publicity chair, Anita Hunter, said it takes more than skill to make this team.
“We want them to be good,” Hunter said. “But more important than their skills on the field is their integrity.”
Players are nominated by their coaches and approved by their school’s principal, then must be selected by the Blue-Gold coaching staff.
Teams are broken down by placing nearly all New Castle County representatives on the Blue team, and Kent and Sussex county players, along with players from Christina and Appoquinimonk school districts on the Gold team.
This year, 10 representatives from local schools have made the Gold team roster, including: Bryan Denegal, Stevie Harris and AJ Jones of Dover High School; Erich Gillespie, Dave Gorski, Duron Harmon, John Sclesky and Jesse Sykes of Caesar Rodney High School; Ian Nichols of Lake Forest High School; and Jovan Estrada of Polytech High School.
Harmon, the state’s defensive player of the year that will play defensive back for Rutgers University next year, said it was a no-brainer to take part in the game after being nominated.
“It’s for a great cause,” he said. “Plus, being against the best in the state, I get to compare myself to them.”
Part of the Blue-Gold experience for the senior players is the opportunity to volunteer in the DFRC’s Hand-in-Hand program.
This allows senior participants to be paired with a “Buddy,” or person from age 4 to 18 with an intellectual disability.
Hunter said the Hand-in-Hand program allows the participants to educate themselves about the disabled as well as build valuable friendships.
“What we strive to do is to bring enlightenment to people about those living with disabilities,” she said. “The majority of people find it very rewarding, and they continue on their relationships for years.”
Through the year there are many planned activities that allow the Buddies and senior participants to hang out and spend time with each other, including picnics, a bowling event, a trip to a Wilmington Blue Rocks game and more.
Harmon said so far, the experience he’s had with his Buddy has been one of the most rewarding he’s ever had.
“When I’m with him it makes me feel so good,” he said. “I like that I get to make a good impact on his life.”
The game’s festivities will kick off at 4 p.m. with kids’ activities, followed by opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. and the game at 7 p.m.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting www.dfrcblue-gold.org/index.html.
Email Brian Citino at brian.citino@doverpost.com
If you go...
What: 54th Annual DFRC Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, June 20
Where: University of Delaware Stadium, Newark
Cost: $8 general admission; group rates available
Information: Visit www.dfrcblue-gold.org/index.html
