For 75 recently graduated high school football standouts, Saturday night's 13th annual Foothills Classic was a chance to enjoy one final game on a high school football field.

However, Mother Nature only let them enjoy the game for one half.

After the kickoff to start the second 30 minutes, referees halted play because of lightning in the area and sent the teams to their locker rooms.

Weather conditions didn't improve, and after nearly an hour delay, the remainder of the game was canceled.

In the shortened contest, the North All-Stars defeated the South, 13-6.

"These guys put a lot of time into this. I would have liked to see it continue," North coach Greg Botta said.

"Some guys didn't get as many reps as they wanted in the first half and were counting on getting some in the second half. It was still a pretty special team."

Despite the elimination of the second half of play, players from both teams put on strong performances over two quarters.

The South got things started on the opening drive, going 65 yards in 13 plays as East Allegheny quarterback Darrale Dunn scored on a 1-yard sneak.

The extra-point attempt failed, and the South grabbed a 6-0 lead.

"We had them second- and third-and-long, and they broke containment or some fluke thing happened," said Botta, who also is the head field boss at Franklin Regional.

"This is a game of mistakes. The more mistakes you make, you have a better chance to lose the game."

The North answered late in the first quarter as Serra Catholic running back Chris Loving scored from 1 yard out. Loving led the North with 41 yards rushing.

"That kid (Loving) is truly something special. He fit right into our scheme of things," Botta said.

"We're a zone team. He knew exactly what we were doing. He didn't miss a beat."

On the ensuing South possession, Derry lineman Dakotah Rhodes recovered a fumble by Thomas Jefferson's Orlando Torres near midfield.

The North capitalized on the miscue as tailback Isaac McKenzie from Woodland Hills capped off a four-play, 42-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run.

"This was a great opportunity to meet a lot of great people and make new friends," McKenzie said.

"It was great to score in the Norwin end zone. Our last game in the playoffs at Norwin didn't end well. It's nice to go away with a win."

The South tried to tie the game before halftime, as Dunn led the team down the field on a 14-play drive.

However, a Dunn pass attempt into the end zone was picked off by Plum's Jon Sharp to end the threat.

Sharp's Mustang teammate, Ryan Ewing, made three tackles from his defensive end position.

On the opening play of the North drive that ended with the McKenzie touchdown, all six Woodland Hills players were on the field at the same time.

Joe Shaffo was at quarterback, while Daryl Jones was at wide receiver and McKenzie was at tailback. Tight end Noah Taylor joined Keivon Brown and Tim Jessell on the offensive line.

On the drive, Shaffo and Jones connected on a 37-yard pass completion.

Kenny Braswell represented Penn Hills in the game and made three tackles.

"It's nice coaching kids at this level," Botta said. "They pick things up easily. They're very coachable, and they understand the game."

Dunn led the South squad with 59 yards rushing and the touchdown on eight carries. He was 4 of 8 passing for 35 yards.

John Peterman was reunited with the other members of the Franklin Regional coaching staff for the Foothills Classic and worked with the North defense.

Peterman, the athletic director at Penn Hills and a Penn Hills graduate, spent three seasons as an assistant to Botta at Franklin Regional.

He helped the Panthers to the 2005 PIAA Class AAA state championship.

"Knowing that I had to walk away from coaching the sport I loved was tough," Peterman said.

"I'm pleased that coach Botta gave me the chance to coach in this game. Being on the sidelines and making adjustments was great."