Welcome to all Parents, Football Players and Cheerleaders!   The new season is here and we are anticipating another great year for our children, coaches and parents. I want to thank all of you who helped out and cheered on our teams in 2008. It was a fantastic season!   I would just like to share a few key moments from 2008 that were truly enjoyable to me as a parent, coach and spectator and made me proud to be a part of the Dukes organization.

• Mitey Mite comeback victory in Maplewood.

The excitement of this team’s win over Maplewood was highlighted by some great second half plays as they overcame a large halftime deficit. It showed the team really had heart, determination and solid coaching, as they never gave up and knew they could win if they worked together. 

• Jr. Pee Wee win at the Garden State Bowl vs. Harrison.

Our Junior Pee Wee team met up with a bigger and faster Harrison team and held on to tie the score late in the second half forcing the game into overtime. The conclusion was an exciting double overtime sudden death victory that ended with a pass completion in the back of the end zone. As a fan of the game, this one was memorable for everyone involved.

• Dukes Teamwork at the MVC Cheer competition.

The MVC competition is an event that our parents and cheerleaders look forward to right from the first day of the season. This year’s was another great one for the Dukes especially for the competitive teams. The Junior Pee Wee and Midget cheer teams both took first place. During the event, we had full participation from the Junior Pee Wee boy’s football team who were unquestionably the loudest fans “in the house”. The combined team spirit shown in the stands and on the gym floor was really a sight to see (and hear with earplugs) and moved some parents to tears. The girls also reciprocated by following and cheering on the boys throughout post season play in the Garden State bowl.

The Hillsborough Dukes is a well respected association within the Mountain Valley Conference. All of our members share the responsibility of continuing to represent Hillsborough with a sense of pride and respect on or off the field. Year after year, MVC proves to be one of the most competitive leagues in the country sending football and cheer teams to the Pop Warner National championships on a regular basis. MVC has brought home 5 National Championships to our conference and local area in the last 3 years.  

But Pop Warner and the Dukes are not just about competition. As you may have heard, the basic philosophy of Pop Warner is that "Athletics and Academics go hand in hand." It is a national requirement that report cards are collected to show that our athletes are scholastically fit. Our organization's goal is to give each athlete a chance to learn the fundamentals of cheerleading and football while having fun. Our cheerleading and football coaches are all certified and provide your child with the best possible instruction, while assuring their safety. 

Parents, there are several ways for you to get to know the organization better and help to make the program a rewarding experience for our children. Our general board meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month, and all parents (and kids) are invited and encouraged to attend. The meetings are normally held in the Hillsborough Elementary School cafeteria after practice beginning at 8:45pm during the season and at 7:30pm during the off-season.   There is a committee to fit just about everyone's interest, so please let us know if you can give a hand. A listing of committees and their chairperson is included in this website (See Dukes Management > Front Office). Check with your Team Commissioner or specific chairperson to see how you can become involved during the season. Or feel free to stop by the red barn at the practice field to ask questions or sign up.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask me or any member of the Board of Directors listed in this website. We are more than happy to talk with you at any time. Let's work together to make 2009 another memorable year for all of us.

Bob Jones

President

bob.borodukes@comcast.net