The 50th Annual Lehigh Valley All-Star Football Classic has been cancelled. The decision was made by the game’s Board of Directors on Wednesday morning due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The game was scheduled for Thursday, June 11 at Nazareth High School’s Andrew S. Leh Stadium at 7 p.m.

The Board of Directors was tremendously disappointed to have to make the decision, but the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible for the game to take place, said a news release received by the Press on Thursday morning.

The statement continued: “With the state of Pennsylvania’s stay-at-home order in effect until May 8, the players, cheerleaders and coaches would not be able to gather for practice until at least May 9. In addition, it is still unclear whether or not practices would be considered a mass gathering. The game itself with fans in attendance is an even bigger issue.

“Time for proper practice and preparation is already limited, and it may not be allowed to happen at all. With all of these variables, the game cannot take place logistically. Most importantly, the health and safety of the players, cheerleaders, coaches and staff is our number one priority.

“Our hearts go out to all the players, cheerleaders, and coaches who worked so hard during the regular season. We’d like to extend a huge congratulations, for what it’s worth, on being selected to participate in the 2020 Lehigh Valley All-Star Football Classic. It is a tremendous achievement in itself. Best of luck to all our players and cheerleaders on their next chapter.”

The Lehigh Valley All-Star Football Classic would have celebrated it’s landmark 50th anniversary in 2020. Every year, the game raises funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The All-Star Classic features the top talent from the Greater Lehigh Valley area high schools and widely regarded as one of the top high school football all-star games in the country.

Notable alumni of the game include Matt Millen (Whitehall, Penn State, Oakland Raiders/San Francisco 49ers), Andre Reed (Dieruff, Kutztown, Buffalo Bills), Gregory A. Delong (Parkland, North Carolina, Minnesota Vikings), and Noel LaMontagne (Southern Lehigh, Virginia, Cleveland Browns), Justin Morabito (Bethlehem Catholic, Stanford) and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Freedom, University of Miami), among many others.