NAZARETH - A strong defensive performance by the Gold squad - that included three first half interceptions - helped it survive a fourth-quarter rally by the Red in the 52nd annual Lehigh Valley McDonald’s All Star Football Classic on Thursday.

The Gold team, comprised of teams from Northampton County, came away with a narrow 21-20 victory over the Red team, made up of teams from Carbon, Lehigh and Monroe counties.

The Gold defense didn’t waste any time imposing its imprint on the game, forcing two three-and-outs and also intercepting a pass as it pitched a first-quarter shutout. Meanwhile, a 30-yard hookup between Eric Striba and Will Aviles at the 8:37 mark of the first gave the Gold a 6-0 lead.

“We felt all week long, that we could be pretty good on the defensive end. Our kids were flying around at practice and making plays, and they had a great mentality that you see in good defensive teams,” said Gold head coach Paul Reduzzi. “In these all star games, the rules are kind-of against the defense, and that’s the way we went about it with them, kind of telling them, ‘hey everyone is against you out there, what are you going to do?’ and they came out and responded.”

The Gold defense continued to shine in the second quarter, getting a huge goal-line interception from Phillipsburg defensive back Isaiah Jackson and another pick right before the end of the half from Jackson’s Stateliner teammate Kassym Domond.

The Gold was also able to add another score, which came off an eight-play, five-minute drive that culminated in a Travis Reifenstahl five-yard rushing score, that made it 13-0 with 2:25 left in the half.

On the ensuing possession, the Red was able to finally get something going on the offensive end in the form of a big play through the air. Northwestern’s Cade Christopher backed up inside his 10-yard line, and was able to find a wide open Tylik Jarvis for a 92-yard pitch and catch down the left sideline that cut the deficit to 13-7 at intermission.

“On the big pass play, that’s exactly what we were looking for. We needed a big play, and coach did a good job drawing that one up,” said Christopher. “Jarvis did a great job of finding space and getting open and I was able to get it to him, and he took it to the house.

“Then we were able to get hot in the fourth quarter and have some fun and put some drives together and make it a game.”

In the third quarter, it looked as if Gold had cemented itself in a winning position after again holding Red scoreless, and adding its touchdown on another Striba to Aviles connection. This time the scoring play covered 14 yards and gave the Gold a 21-7 lead right before the end of the quarter.

But Christopher and the Red offense then got hot.

A 30-yard touchdown strike from Christopher to Noah Ozario would get the Red back in the game with 8:06 remaining.

That was then followed up by a gutsy onside kick call from Red head coach Jim McCarroll of Pocono Mountain West. McCarroll’s call paid off with Red recovering the onside kick around the Gold 48.

Nine plays later, Christopher was able to cash in on McCarroll’s gamble with a diving three-yard touchdown run at left pylon to make it a one-point game with three minutes left in the contest.

However, the Gold defense would come up big yet again, stuffing the Red’s two-point rushing attempt at the goal line.

The Gold was then able to run out the remaining clock, collecting three first downs on the ground.

“We went into the fourth, saying we were going to throw the ball a little bit and we were able to make some plays,” said McCarroll. “They were good up front throughout the game, and they were able to get a good pass rush on us, but we got going there, got a score and went for the onside kick and got it.

“I wish I had that two-point conversion call back, I think we should have gone to the outside, so I’ll take the blame for that one, but it was a fun game. The game is for a great cause, and it’s just a good group of kids who love to play football.”

STANDOUTS … Christopher had a nice night for the Red, throwing for 239 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for a touchdown. For the Gold, Reifenstahl threw for 108 and rushed for 76 and a rushing score, and Aviles hauled in four catches for 76 yards and two touchdowns.

THE DIFFERENCE … In the first half, the Gold forced three turnovers and gave up just three rushing yards.

OTHER LOCALS ... In addition to Christopher, other area players selected for the game were Northern Lehigh’s Austin Smyth, AJ Jimenez, Nick Frame, Izaiah Ramos, Ethan Karpowich and Jayden Krempasky; Palmerton’s Dalton Drake and Daniel Lucykanish; Pleasant Valley’s Jarod Moore, Tyler Vandever, Mike Barrett and Matt Adamski.