Hugs and handshakes were exchanged.

So were a few Snapchat and Instagram profiles.

The 50th Annual McDonald’s Lehigh Valley All-Star Football Classic brought together some of the area’s best talent on the field, and forged even stronger bonds off it.

More than the final outcome – a 42-24 victory for the Red squad against the Gold team – the event provided an opportunity for both sides to create more memories before closing out their high school careers.

“It was really cool to actually get to know the other kids that we are always competing against,” said Parkland’s Isiah Rico. “To actually come together and play as one, made it a lot easier on all of us and it was really cool.”

Rico and the Trojans played for the winning Red team, which was comprised of schools from Lehigh, Carbon and Monroe counties during last Thursday’s contest at Nazareth’s Andrew Leh Stadium.

“It was great to go out on a win,” Rico said. “To get with all these kids and bond the way we did in the eight days we had together was really cool.”

Rico, Jayden Sanchez, Luan Avdijaj and Connor Neith represented Parkland in the contest.

In a game dominated by the offenses, Rico carried the ball six times for 17 yards, scoring a two-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter that extended the Red’s lead to 35-17.

The Red squad finished with 351 yards of total offense.

Avdijaj had one carry for no gain and added a catch for six yards.

“To come together as strangers at first and end with a win is going to make this even more memorable,” said Rico.

Sanchez couldn’t have agreed more.

“I came in not knowing what to expect,” he said. “But I met a lot of new guys from a bunch of different schools, and it was crazy how much we bonded and just clicked right away. And to put it all together and get a win, it feels great.

“When you realize it’s all football and we’re all playing the same sport, on the same team, it’s all love at the end of the day. We just came out here and did what we do, and it was awesome.”

Sanchez was more than happy to do his part on the field to give the team some extra juice on defense by playing defensive end. The Gold squad threw for 417 yards, but only managed five on the ground.

“I’m a linebacker, but I was doing whatever they needed,” he said. “I went down (to defensive end), got a couple sacks and just tried to do whatever I could to help the team.

“I’ll never forget these guys, the coaches, everything. It was great.”

More than what the players could do to help their teams, they also helped raise funds and awareness for a good cause. All proceeds from the game were used to support Ronald McDonald House Charities.

“It’s really cool, and it makes it all worth it,” said Rico. “It’s not just a football game; it’s helping people that need it, so it’s awesome.”

Before getting set to continue his career at Long Island University, Rico reflected on his time at Parkland.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way,” he said. “It was a really good program to come up in, with the best coaches, and I can’t thank everyone enough.”