NAZARETH – The McDonald’s Lehigh Valley All-Star Football Classic is made up of senior football players from Northampton County, Phillipsburg and Palisades (Gold Team) and from Lehigh, Carbon and Monroe counties (Red Team). All proceeds from this event benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.
“We shared it with the kids and I have done the game a number of times and you learn the message on how important this game is,” said Gold Head Coach Paul Reduzzi. “Sean McIntyre, representing the charity, spoke the other night about how much has gone into the houses and that there are 835 houses in the country. They may not reflect on it now as 18-year old kids but it’s a message the kids do get.”
The Gold Team barrelled through three quarters leading by two touchdowns heading into the final quarter. But the Red Team made a furious comeback in the fourth quarter. Late in the game, down by one point, they elected to go for the two-point conversion. But it was the Gold Team’s defense that made the big stop.
It was the combination of Easton’s Sean Wilson and Palisades Galen Limantour that made the winning tackle to preserve the Gold Team 21-20 win over the Red Team in the 52nd McDonald’s Lehigh Valley All-Star Football Classic Thursday night at Andrew S. Leh Stadium.
“I thought what Jimmy did going for two is what the game is about,” said Reduzzi. “It’s always a game of waves of emotions and waves of momentum and you saw that tonight.”
The Gold Team was cruising the first half. Bangor’s quarterback Eric Striba connected with Bethlehem Catholic’s Will Aviles for an 20-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. They made it 13-0 with 2:25 left in the first half when Saucon Valley’s Travis Riefenstahl (107 yards passing) powered in from five yards out.
“It was a fun night playing my last game as a senior tonight and raising money for a great cause,” said Travis Riefenstahl.
The Red Team cut into the Gold Team’s lead late in the first half. Christopher threw a perfect pass to Emmaus’ Tylik Jarvis who went 92 yards for the score. Parkland’s Gryffin Mitstifer’s kick made it 13-7 heading into halftime.
The duo of Striba to Aviles struck again. This time it was a 13-yard touchdown pass with 21 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Striba finished off the drive with a two-point conversion giving them a two touchdown lead.
Striba finished the night passing for 81 yards and Aviles had four catches for 71 yards.
“It was great to see Striba thew the ball that way tonight,” said Reduzzi. “That is the biggest progress he has made in his career. He continue became a better passer and to let him showcase at this level is great.”
The Red Team needed a spark in the fourth quarter and got it from Christopher. They were facing a fourth-and-12 when Christopher found Parkland’s Nakhi Bullock for a 23-yard pass and a first down. Two plays later, Christopher capped off the drive hitting a wide open Noah Ozorio of Dieuff for a 30-yard touchdown pass with 8:06 remaining in the game.
The Red Team’s onside kick was recovered by Emmaus’ Elijah Fajardo. Christopher orchestrated a late drive all the way down on the three-yard line. Christopher called his own play, took the snap, ran left and dove at the pylon for the touchdown run. They elected to go for the two-point conversion and the lead. But the Gold Team came up with the big stop and the win.
Christopher finished the night passing for 238 yards and three total touchdowns.
Scoring summary
| Final | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | T |
| Gold Team | 6 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 21 |
| Red Team | 0 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 20 |
1st Quarter
G – Will Aviles 20 yard pass from Eric Striba (kick failed) 8:37
2nd Quarter
G – Travis Riefenstahl 5 yard run (Chris Bugbee kick good) 2:25
R – Tylik Jarvis 92 yard pass from Cade Christopher (Gryffin Mitstifer kick good) 1:43
3rd Quarter
G – Will Aviles 13 yard pass from Eric Striba (Eric Striba run good) 0:21
4th Quarter
R – Noah Ozorio 30 yard pass from Cade Christopher (Mitstifer kick good) 8:06
R – Cade Christopher 3 yard run (run failed) 3:53
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