It might not have been the high-scoring affair fans are used to seeing in all-star football games, but last week’s Lehigh Valley McDonald’s All-Star Classic featured a game that came down to the wire with plenty of big plays on both sides.

The Gold team, made up mostly of players from Northampton and Monroe county teams, held off a late charge from the Red team to come away with a 21-20 win.

“This game is for a great cause,” said Red team quarterback Cade Christopher (Northwestern Lehigh). “Being able to have a one-point game, no matter who won or lost, I feel like it was a great outcome. It was fun to play in and I think it was fun to watch considering how close it was.”

The Gold team went head 13-0 in the first half on touchdowns.

Will Aviles (Bethlehem Catholic) caught his first of two touchdown passes in the game in the first quarter. He hauled in a 30-yard pass from Eric Striba (Bangor) to give his team a 6-0 lead on its first possession of the game.

The Gold defense forced two turnovers and two punts on Red’s first four drives before the offense made it 13-0 with 2:25 left in the first half when Saucon Valley quarterback Travis Reifenstahl broke free for a 5-yard run.

When Red got the ball back it scored on its first play from scrimmage as Christopher found Tylik Jarvis (Emmaus) wide open for a 92-yard catch and run that. Gryffin Mitstifer (Parkland) hit the extra point to get his team within 13-6 at halftime.

After defenses dominated most of the third quarter, Gold put together a 14-play drive capped by Aviles’ 13-tyard touchdown catch from Striba for a 21-7 lead with 17 seconds left in the first half.

The Red made it close with touchdowns on its final two drives of the game.

Christopher connected with Noah Ozario (Dieruff) on a 30-yard touchdown that got Red within 21-14 with 8:06 left in the game.

Mitstifer and his teammates executed a successful onside kick to get the ball back. Eight plays into the drive Christopher scampered three yards for a score, but a failed two-point conversion left the Red down 21-20 with 3:13 left on the game clock.

An unsuccessful onsides kick and a couple Gold first downs ended the game.

The annual game, which showcases the top senior players in the Lehigh Valley area, benefits Ronald McDonald Charities.