After four years of lining up against one another, a group of Bethlehem football players learned that playing together can be a lot of fun, too.

The Gold Team, consisting of athletes from Northampton County, Palisades and Phillipsburg, defeated the Red Team 35-7 in the McDonald’s Lehigh Valley All-Star Football Classic on June 14.

Freedom was represented by offensive lineman Tijir Bleam. Liberty had six players named to the Gold roster: Jaden Vazquez, Jay McGill, Chrys Hunter, Will Kandianis, Jack Fineanganofo, and Shane McLaughlin. Bethlehem Catholic was represented by Matt Bisko, Brandon Bartholomew, Javon Clements, and Christian Drayton III

Becahi’s Clements kicked off the Gold Team’s scoring barrage with a 71-yard touchdown pass to Easton’s Eddie Olsen less than five minutes into the first quarter.

The Red Team fumbled on its first offensive play and gave the ball back to Gold on the 12-yard line. Saucon Valley’s Alston Wolfe converted a quarterback sneak to give Gold a 14-0 lead.

Liberty’s McGill hauled in a 43-yard pass at the end of the first quarter to set up Gold’s third score. Becahi’s Drayton III caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from Easton’s Scott Poulson to give the Gold Team a 21-0 lead.

Gold led 35-0 before Catasauqua’s Miguel Hernandez broke the shutout with a 66-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.

Clements, who will be attending The Hill School next year, enjoyed building a report with Liberty’s top receiver.

“He (McGill) is a great receiver. I know he’s going to Muhlenberg and we have a couple teammates that are going there. He’s going to do great there,” Clements said.

Drayton III will be continuing his career at Lock Haven next season. Both McGill and Drayton III were optimistic that their two-week camp with the McDonald’s All-Stars would prepare them for their first college training camps.

“It was nice to play with the people that you were playing against all season and come together as one,” Drayton III said.

Saucon Valley’s Steven Rose and Stroudsburg’s Warren Watson were honored before the game for their outstanding performance during the training period.

The Gold Team was coached by Kevin Ronalds from Palisades and the Red Team was led by Tom McCarroll from Lehighton.