RAYMOND — All-star games are supposed to be lighthearted, easygoing affairs where everyone takes it easy and no one gets hurt.

Ryan Ferrington might disagree.

The former Vicksburg High star received a 2-inch long cut on the top of his head when he collided with Meridian’s Dallas Hannah late in Saturday’s Mississippi Association of Coaches soccer all-star game at Hinds Community College. The two players were both trying to head the ball when they smacked into each other. Ferrington got cut. Hannah lost two teeth.

“We both went up. His teeth broke off and I cut my head,” said Ferrington, who did not require stitches. “I’m OK.”

The collision was one of many late-game highlights in a physical 2-2 tie between the North and South all-stars. Northwest Rankin’s Sam Williams scored two goals for the North, the last with just over two minutes remaining, while Hannah had an assist before his injury.

All four goals were scored in the second half. Cameron Troutman of Ocean Springs put the South ahead 2-1 with five minutes left, only to see Williams tie it again moments later.

Ferrington was joined by VHS teammate Patrick Parker on the North squad, but neither played a big role in the game’s outcome. Parker was denied an assist on a corner kick in the first half when South keeper Kyle Miller punched the ball away at the last second.

“I didn’t play as good as I wanted to,” said Parker, who will play at Hinds next season. “I played one game of rec since the end of the (high school) season. I’ve just got to get my touch back.”

Warren County’s players had a much better time in the girls’ all-star game. Vicksburg’s Diari Gilliam and Amelia Hyde, along with Warren Central’s Julie Waddle, helped the North to a 3-0 victory. Clinton’s Madison McKee had a goal and an assist for the North, while Bess Ruff of Tupelo and Melanie Webb of Northwest Rankin each tallied one goal.

Waddle just missed on two chances late in the game. In the final minute, Waddle threaded a nice shot across the goal, only to have South keeper Jennie Jester deny her with a diving save.

“I wanted it. We already had the game won, but it would have been nice to get the goal,” Waddle said.

Gilliam said the game was a reunion of sorts for the North. Most of its players had spent time together on select teams over the years, and knew each other well. It was also a parting of ways as they head off to college.

“It was fantastic. Most of the girls on the team were on the Jackson Futbol Club, and it was like a big reunion,” Gilliam said. “It was like, this is the last game. I’m going to miss the game a lot.”

*

Contact Ernest Bowker at ebowker@vicksburgpost.com