Four Bucs return home for Blue-Gold scrimmage

Four of Milford’s standout seniors suited up at Briggs Stadium one last time Wednesday evening, as part of the all-star Gold Team. They joined star graduates from across lower Delaware as they prepared for the annual Blue-Gold Game with a scrimmage on Milford’s home turf.

“It’s great to be here. This is a gold mine for us, to be playing with all these great players,” said Ryan Deeney, who will line up on the offensive line for the Gold squad in Saturday’s game.

Deeney joins Jason Kollock, Chris Drummond and Alex Bell on the downstate-oriented Gold Team. They will face off with the upstate all-stars of the Blue Team at the University of Delaware on Saturday.

Usually the northern team has an advantage — Blue has wont he last three games — but this year the Division I and Division II state champions and the runners-up were all in the south of the state. That means the Gold team brings together the champion Bucs with the Laurel Bulldogs they beat in the state title game, as well as the Division I winner Caesar Rodney Riders and the runner-up Sussex Central Golden Knights.

For Kollock, that means playing with two of his fellow all-state linebackers, Central’s James Showell and CR’s David Gorski.

“It’s a lot of fun to have all three of us on the same team,” Kollock said. “It’s great to get out there and play with these guys.”

For most of the players, this is their last game of high school football before going to an NCAA college team.

“It’s a learning experience, going against guys like this,” said Bell, who will head to Old Dominion University in the fall.

The game is organized through DFRC to benefit Delawareans with intellectual disabilities.

“It’s all about the kids, and I really like that we’re all a part of something bigger,” Kollock said.

In addition to the Bucs on the field, Milford’s Mike Tkach and David Carter are among the coaching staff this year. Tkach is a former head coach of the Gold Team, while Carter is an assistant coach for the second time in three years.

“I love being here. I thank God for the opportunity to be able to improve the lives of other students outside of Milford,” Carter said.

Tickets are still on sale for the Blue-Gold Game at all Grotto’s Pizza locations and through local Lions Clubs. For more information, visit www.dfrcblue-gold.org.