The McDonald’s Lehigh Valley All-Star Football Classic returns for a 53rd year this Thursday at Nazareth’s Andrew Leh Stadium.

The Gold squad, made up mostly of players from Northampton County and Phillipsburg, won last year’s contest over the Red squad 21-20 and they look favored again this week against their Lehigh County and Pocono counterparts.

Nazareth leads the Gold squad with eight players, but a few Northampton players will be joining forces on the gold team including Tristen Pinnock (WR), Jacob Ladd (DT) and Jake Biery (DT).

On the other side of the ball, Catty seniors get one more crack at playing their rivals as Jyzaiah Bonilla and Ian Juica (WR) will be the only Rough Riders in action.

Pen Argyl coach Brady Mutton is leading this year’s Gold squad, while Pleasant Valley’s Blaec Saeger is coaching the Red squad.

Kickoff on Thursday night is set for 7:30 p.m.