FALL SPORTS PREVIEW: DHS Coaches Ready for Success: Tiger teams ready to challenge for NWJAC championships

By Christopher Pappas

Dover High School's Tigers are gearing up for an exciting 2025 fall sports season! Members of the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NWJAC), Dover players will compete in varsity football, boys’ and girls’ soccer, girls’ volleyball, cross country, and cheerleading. The full schedules are available at dhs.dover-nj.org or nwjerseyac.com.

Here’s a preview for all the teams, delivered by their coaches:

FOOTBALL

HEAD COACH: Bill Goble

2024 RECORD: Overall, 3-7; 0-5 in Super Football Conference's Patriot Red Division 

FIRST ’25 GAME: 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5; vs. Vernon Township High School at Hamilton Field- Dover Middle School

COACH’S COMMENT: “We’re gearing up for a new season. We will have many new players in key roles. The program is focused on growth, discipline, and strong team culture.”               

GIRLS’ SOCCER

HEAD COACH: Samantha Gerardi

2024 RECORD: Overall, 7-8-3; 4-4-2 record in the NWJAC-Colonial Division

FIRST ’25 GAME: 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 4; vs. Sussex County Technical High School at Hamilton Field- Dover Middle School

COACH’S COMMENT: “We will be led by a determined and talented group of seniors. We’ve been training hard all summer with our sights set on competing for a conference title.”

BOYS’ CROSS-COUNTRY

HEAD COACH: Kyle Madison 

2024 RECORD: Overall, 8-5; 3-2 record in the NWJAC - Colonial Division

FIRST ’25 MEET: 4 p.m., Tuesday,  Sept. 9; Tri-Meet vs. Lenape Valley High School & North Warren Regional, at North Warren Regional High School

COACH’S COMMENT: “The boys are led by a strong group of seniors, and we hope to contend for the conference title.”

GIRLS’ CROSS-COUNTRY

HEAD COACH: Kyle Madison

2024 RECORD: Overall, 9-4; 3-2 record in the NWJAC - Colonial Division

FIRST ’25 MEET: 4 p.m., Tuesday, Sept.  9; Tri-Meet vs. Lenape Valley High School & North Warren Regional, at North Warren Regional High School

COACH’S COMMENT: “The girls have been improving throughout the summer and are striving for personal best times this season.”

GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL

HEAD COACH: Francesca Jackson

2024 RECORD: Overall, 8 -11; 8-3 record in the NWJAC - Independence  Division Champions 

FIRST ’25 GAME: 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 4; vs. Hanover Park High School, at Dover High School

COACH’S COMMENT: This is Coach Jackson's first year at Dover High School. She says the team has been working hard in the off-season and is excited to build on last year's divisional championship season.

CHEERLEADING

HEAD COACH: Robyn Gustin

FIRST ’25 GAME: 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5; vs. Vernon Township High School at Hamilton Field- Dover Middle School

COACH’S COMMENT: “DHS Cheer has been working hard getting ready for the upcoming season. We can't wait to show off our Tiger Pride!”