The North took the opening kickoff into the red zone behind a key scramble from Weequahic quarterback Paul Jones III, but kicker Declan Farrell (Seton Hall Prep) pushed a 44-yard field goal attempt just to the right of the goalpost.

It took just three plays for the South to strike with its biggest offensive play of the game, as Chiera fired a deep ball to Day-Thompson in between two North defensive backs, and the Atlantic City star sprinted untouched for the 65-yard score and an early 6-0 lead.

Both teams moved the ball effectively and controlled possession throughout most of the rest of the first half, though neither could break through to the end zone. The North had a 14-play, eight-minute drive stall out inside the 10-yard line despite the good work of running backs Chance Fischer (Bayonne; 11 carries for 45 yards) and Farad Green (West Orange).

Likewise, the South had a 12-play drive that went for naught after multiple penalties set it back.

The key sequence came in the final minute of the half, when South QB Matthew Rossi (Point Pleasant Beach) was picked off by Manville’s Joshua D’Ambrosio at the North’s 3-yard line. D’Ambrosio returned it 62 yards, setting up the North for another scoring opportunity.

Quarterback Shane Hoover (Sparta) managed the late-clock situation perfectly, tossing a back-shoulder strike to Kadir Younge of Passaic Tech for a first down, and scrambling for one of his own two plays later. With six seconds left in the half, it was Avent lining up under center, taking the direct snap over right end, shedding a tackle before breaking the plane for the North touchdown. Farrell’s extra point gave his team the 7-6 lead at the break.

The South opened the second half with its most sustained drive of the night, marching deep into North territory on a 14-play possession that consumed more than 10 minutes. But the North defense stiffened at the goal line. Rayquan Clark (Shabazz) blew up a jet sweep for an 8-yard loss, and Hayes Jr. broke up a potential touchdown pass in the end zone, forcing a 32-yard field-goal attempt that sailed wide left.

The momentum swung further in the North’s direction on the ensuing possession, when Paramus Catholic’s Aiden Acevedo made a spectacular one-handed grab of Jones III’s deep ball, eventually taking it 56 yards to set up Avent’s jump pass to Dech at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

The South threatened on its following drive, but turned it over on downs when Fischer batted away a 4th-and-10 pass inside the North 40-yard line. Its last chance came with 1:43 left, 87 yards away from the tying touchdown, but back-to-back sacks from Avent, including the strip-sack on the final offensive play, put a wrap on the proceedings.

Jones III was the North’s leading passer, connecting on 4 of 9 attempts for 78 yards, the majority coming on the long completion to Acevedo (3 for 69). For the South, Chiera completed 7 of 13 passes for 129 yards with 1 TD and 1 interception. Sayreville running back Shaun Jackson led all rushers with 58 yards on 6 carries, while the quarterback Lajara scrambled for 52 yards on 9 carries.

Notes & Numbers
Phil Simms, the Super Bowl-winning New York Giants legend and longtime NFL on CBS broadcaster, was in attendance Saturday night for the game that has borne his name since 2014. He spent time sharing his football knowledge with players and coaches and appreciating the heart and effort of both teams … The South outgained the North, 307 yards to 274, though the North had a slight advantage in first downs (17-15) and time of possession (31:49 to 28:11) … Saturday’s exhibition included several rules more familiar to pro football fans including 15-minute quarters and NFL timing rules. Additionally, the game made use of the “dynamic kickoff,” in which both the kickoff coverage and return teams line up five yards apart in the returner’s half of the field, a measure introduced to the NFL in 2024 to promote more returns and reduce the possibility of high-speed, concussion-inducing collisions … Saturday was the 48th annual North-South Classic, but only the 45th game to be played. The 2002 game was called off due to poor weather conditions, while the 2020 and 2021 games were scheduled but canceled due to COVID-19…Rahway’s Avent said before the game that he could be headed to either Milford Academy or IMG in the fall…GL’s Dorsett is set to attend East Coast Prep…Summit’s duo of D-lineman Anthony Trujillo (Trinity) and CB Connor Gawronski (Amherst) could one day be on opposing sidelines since their next educational and football destinations are both members of the top-notch Division III New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). 

48th PHIL SIMMS NORTH-SOUTH ALL-STAR FOOTBALL CLASSIC
Saturday, June 20 – The College of New Jersey
North             0          7          0          7     -     14
South             6          0          0          0     -      6
First Quarter
SOUTH—Jaylen Day-Thompson 65 pass from Dylan Chiera (kick missed), 7:57
3 plays, 80 yards, 1:36 – South leads, 6-0
Second Quarter
NORTH—Andrew Avent 2 run (Declan Farrell kick), 0:02
5 plays, 35 yards, 0:34 – North leads, 7-6
Third quarter
No scoring
Fourth quarter
NORTH—Sam Dech 6 pass from Avent (Farrell kick), 14:53
6 plays, 75 yards, 4:19 – North leads, 14-6

NORTH-SOUTH SCOREBOARD
NORTH LEADS 22-21-2
2026: North 14 South 6 – at The College of New Jersey
2025: South 19, North 18 - at Kean University
2024: North 20, South 18 – at Kean University
2023: North 10, South 6 – at Kean University
2022: North 21, South 16 – at Kean University
2021: No game because of the COVID-19 pandemic
2020: No game because of the COVID-19 pandemic
2019: North 24, South 23 – at Kean University
2018: South 38, North 16 - at Kean University
2017: South 30, North 22 - at Kean University
2016: North 7, South 0 - at Kean University
2015: South 23, North 21 - at Kean University
2014: South 20, North 14 - at Piscataway High School
2013: North 54, South 8 - at Kean University
2012: North 14, South 7 - at Kean University
2011: South 21, North 14 - at Kean University
2010: North 17, South 3 - at Kean University
2009: South 7, North 0 - at Kean University
2008: North 31, South 25 - at Rutgers Stadium
2007: South 14, North 7 - at Rutgers Stadium
2006: North 31, South 16 - at Rutgers Stadium
2005: North 9, South 7 - at Rutgers Stadium
2004: North 26, South 21 - at Rutgers Stadium
2003: South 3, North 0 - at Rutgers Stadium
2002: No game was played at Rutgers
because of inclement weather before kickoff.
2001: North 24, South 0 - at Rutgers Stadium
2000: South 20, North 5 - at Rutgers Stadium
1999: South 22, North 19 - at Rutgers Stadium
1998: North 33, South 31 - at Rutgers Stadium
1997: South 28, North 24 - at The College of New Jersey
1996: South 32, North 23 - at Rutgers Stadium
1995: North 37, South 15 - at Rutgers Stadium
1994: South 21, North 16 - at Trenton State College
1993: South 9, North 8 - at Giants Stadium
1992: North 7, South 7 (tie) - at Giants Stadium
1991: North 26, South 12 - at Giants Stadium
1990: North 14, South 10 - at Rutgers Stadium
1989: South 24, North 0 - at Rutgers Stadium
1988: South 12, North 9 - at Rutgers Stadium
1987: North 21, South 10 - at Rutgers Stadium
1986: North 20, South 17 - at Rutgers Stadium
1985: North 10, South 10 (tie) - at Rutgers Stadium
1984: North 7, South 0 - at Rutgers Stadium
1983: South 41, North 7 - at Rutgers Stadium
1982: South 16, North 7 - at Rutgers Stadium
1981: South 32, North 0 - at Rutgers Stadium
1980: North 13, South 6 - at Rutgers Stadium
1979: South 34, North 13 - at Rutgers Stadium  

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