The 40th Annual Minnesota High School All-Star Football Game was played on Saturday, June 29 at Husky Stadium on the campus of St. Cloud State University.  Our participants, Nate Ricci and Derrick Thingvold of the North, fell to the South 24-14.

Ricci, who in three varsity seasons spent time at Cornerback, Free Safety, Wide Receiver, Quarterback, Running Back, Punt Returner, and Kick Returner, was busy at the All-Star Game as well.  While taking snaps, Ricci went 4-4 for 31 yards and ran 4 times for 8 yards.  While split out, Ricci caught 2 passes for 9 yards.  Though back for punt returns, Ricci did not have the opportunity to return one.

Thingvold, who played Tight End as a junior before moving to Guard as a senior, played Tackle in the game.  Thingvold helped anchor an offensive line that gained more first downs (17-10), more yards (300-210), more plays (68-55), more rushing yards (146-114), and more passing yards (154-96) than the victorious South All-Stars.

The original game was played North versus South beginning in 1945 and continuing through 1980.  The game was not played every year since for various reasons.  From 1981 to 2010 the game was played Metro versus Outstate with the Metro winning the all-time series 16-15.  With the win, the South takes a 10-9-1 advantage over the North.

For more information on the game and its history, click Minnesota High School All-Star Game.  For more information on Stillwater’s impact on this game, click Ponies All-Star Game History.