The 55th Annual Lehigh Valley All-Star Football Classic may have ended earlier than expected due to severe weather, but Team Ronald McDonald House made sure its performance left a lasting impression, defeating Team St. Luke’s Children Hospital 34-16 in a storm-shortened contest.
With 6:11 remaining in the third quarter, officials halted play due to weather conditions, ending the game prematurely. By that point, Team Ronald McDonald House had already built a commanding lead thanks to explosive offensive plays and clutch execution.
Team Ronald McDonald House wasted little time getting on the scoreboard in the opening quarter. Sean Steckert punched in a 3-yard touchdown run with 6:44 remaining in the first quarter to give his squad an early advantage. Just over two minutes later, Cole Ordway electrified the crowd with a 62-yard touchdown run at the 4:32 mark, helping Ronald McDonald House build a 14-0 lead after the first quarter.
The offense continued to roll in the second quarter. Ordway showcased his arm, connecting with Caden Meek on a 12-yard touchdown pass with 11:09 left in the half to extend the lead to 21-0.
Team St. Luke’s Children Hospital answered midway through the second quarter when Wayne King connected with Kai Jefferson-Rushing on a 37-yard touchdown strike at the 8:12 mark, cutting the deficit to 21-8.
However, one of the game’s defining moments came shortly afterward.
Facing a critical fourth-and-13 from the Team St. Luke’s 12-yard line, Team Ronald McDonald House turned to quarterback Jack Trickel for a momentum-shifting play. Trickel delivered under pressure, finding Noah Kline for an 18-yard touchdown pass with 5:50 remaining in the first half.
Instead of potentially turning the ball over on downs, the score pushed Ronald McDonald House’s lead to 27-8 and swung momentum firmly back in its favor.
Ronald McDonald House added one more score before halftime as Trickel again found Kline, this time on a 40-yard touchdown pass as time expired in the second quarter, giving his team a commanding 34-8 halftime advantage.
Team St. Luke’s Children Hospital showed resilience in the third quarter, as Peter Sherman powered into the end zone on a 1-yard touchdown run with 9:19 remaining to make it 34-16. But shortly after, lightning and severe weather forced officials to stop the game permanently in the third quarter with 6:11 remaining.
Despite the shortened finish, the night celebrated some of the Lehigh Valley’s top graduating football talent while supporting important causes in the community.
| Teams |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Final |
| Team Ronald McDonald House |
14 |
20 |
0 |
0 |
34 |
| Team St. Luke’s Children Hospital |
0 |
8 |
8 |
0 |
16 |
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
Team Ronald McDonald House: Sean Steckert 3 yard run 6:44
Team Ronald McDonald House: Cole Ordway 62 yard run 4:32
2nd Quarter:
Team Ronald McDonald House: Caden Meek 12 yard pass from Cole Ordway 11:09
Team St. Luke’s Children Hospital: Kai Jefferson-Rushing 37 yard pass from Wayne King 8:12
Team Ronald McDonald House: Noah Kline 18 yard pass from Jack Trickel 5:50
Team Ronald McDonald House: Noah Kline 40 yard pass from Jack Trickel 0:00
3rd Quarter:
Team St. Luke’s Children Hospital: Peter Sherman 1 yard run 9:19
NOTE: GAME WAS STOPPED WITH 6:11 REMAINING IN THE 3RD QUARTER BECAUSE OF WEATHER.
