Centre and Clinton County were well represented, as a total 19 players filled the North’s team roster. It was Friday Night Lights in a rare June contest as players from all over Central Pennsylvania had its last football contest for the seniors.

The game entered its 42nd season with the North holding onto a 21-19 lead before the event.

Make that 22-19. What started out looking like a high-scoring contest early on turned into a defensive battle in the second half, with the North taking home a hard fought 16-8 victory to defend its trophy.

Picking up the MVP hardware for the North was Offensive MVP Colton Ryan and Defensive MVP went to Charlie Hepfl. Mifflin County’s Gavin Herrington captured the Defensive MVP for the South while the Offensive MVP went to Eli Woomer.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Gage Gardner (58) works to track down South quarterback Cole Delattre during the 42nd annual Lezzer Lumber Classic all-star football game at Mifflin County on Friday. The North team won, 16-6.

The North won the toss but deferred its choice to the second half. It would be the South that would get the ball to start out the contest.

The momentum started out favoring the visiting North team, as they got on the scoreboard on their first possession.

Immediately, quarterback Trey Wingard went to the air and found his favorite receiver – State College’s Colton Ryan. Wingard and Ryan hooked up for three passes for 40 yards in the first half.

Ryan also had 48 yards on the ground in the half as well. He finished with 72 yards rushing and 40 yards receiving. Teammate Colton Chapman finished his night with 62 yards rushing. Wingard went 9-for-14 for 95 yards passing.

But it would be Logan Skebeck that put the North ahead as he muscled his way to a 1-yard touchdown run. Braylen Phillips connected on a 2-point conversion, as the North went ahead, 8-0, with 5:39 to go in the first quarter.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Jackson Long (28) waits for action to resume during the 42nd annual Lezzer Lumber Classic all-star football game at Mifflin County on Friday. The North team won, 16-6.

Back rallied the South as they went on a 11-play 85-yard drive which culminated on a 19-yard touchdown grab from Cole DeLattrw to Eli Woomer with 0:29 left in the opening stanza.

Offensively, the North would have the last score of the half when Dante Lezzer connected on a ten-yard touchdown pass to Daimear Coad. With the conversion, they upped their lead to 16-6 with 8:34 left in the second.

Defensively, both sides were able to hold strong.

Coming out of the intermission both teams defenses took center stage as they bent but didn’t break and were able to get the stops when needed.

After exchanging multiple possessions in the third quarter, the South went knocking on the door thanks to two long completions from Cole DeLattre to Brayden Parsons. The South found themselves down in North territory at the 10.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Kollin Cunningham (1) works to track down a South runner during the 42nd annual Lezzer Lumber Classic all-star football game at Mifflin County on Friday. The North team won, 16-6.

However, Charlie Hepfl stepped in front of a Parson pass in the end zone for the interception.

As the game went into the final stanza, the South defense returned the favor. Colin Gibbons made a diving interception, giving the South a chance to get back into striking distance.

The South would get into long field goal range but the 48-yard Kaiden Snare kick was unsuccessful.

From there, the North grinded out a time consuming drive that would take them down to the South’s end zone before the South’s defense would stand firm, keeping the visitors from adding to the scoreboard as the time ran out.

In the end, the fans were treated to all the talent that Central Pennsylvania could provide in the very competitive contest.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Kollin Cunningham (1) defends a South receiver during the 42nd annual Lezzer Lumber Classic all-star football game at Mifflin County on Friday. The North team won, 16-6.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain's Mario Serafini approaches the sideline on a run during the 42nd annual Lezzer Lumber Classic all-star football game at Mifflin County on Friday. The North team won, 16-6.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express The North defensive line, featuring multiple local athletes, lines up against the South offensive line during the 42nd annual Lezzer Lumber Classic all-star football game at Mifflin County on Friday. The North team won, 16-6.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Penns Valley's Shane Rimmey (66) talks to multiple Bellefonte athletes during the 42nd annual Lezzer Lumber Classic all-star football game at Mifflin County on Friday. The North team won, 16-6.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express The 42nd annual Lezzer Lumber Classic scholarship winners, including Central Mountain's Dalton McDermott (24) and Bellefonte's Logan Rarrick (50), pose for a photo following the all-star football game at Mifflin County on Friday. The North team won, 16-6.