SFHS FOOTBALL HOMECOMING VERSUS GLEASON SEPT. 22, HAD MORE THAN ONE REASON TO CELEBRATE

From the crowning of a Queen, to a majestic gridiron victory and a royal salute to a dedicated Red Devils' supporter, South Fulton High School's football Homecoming was a reason to celebrate.

There were multiple reasons for celebration in the stands and on the field Friday night as the South Fulton Red Devils hosted Gleason’s Bulldogs for Homecoming.

SFHS senior and high school football team “water girl” Addysen Wilson was crowned Homecoming Queen, the Red Devils’ press box was named in honor of longtime announcer and supporter of South Fulton Schools, Ted Barclay, and South Fulton took the win, 54-14.

Red Devil Dallas Whitehead kicked off the South Fulton offensive effort with a 27 yard run in the first quarter for 6 and Charlie Mike Mulcahy was good for the kick, and a 7-0 lead.

Gleason’s Drake Lehmkuhl answered with an interception and a 100 yard take-back carry into the end zone, with his team mate Drake Lovell running in for the two point conversion, which provided the one and only advantage for the Bulldogs throughout the contest, up 8-7.

SFHS quarterback Brady McFarland dashed in from 7 yards out for the second of two first quarter TDs for the Red Devils, and Mulcahy once again provided the extra point.

In the second quarter, it was all South Fulton, Whitehead scoring on two 4-yard runs into the end zone plus another score from 8 yards out. Mulcahy kicked the extra point for Whitehead’s first touchdown, and Dan Cirkles’ reception from McFarland provided the two-point conversion on another. The extra 2 attempt on Whitehead’s 8-yard run was no good.

Josh McKnight scored for the Red Devils courtesy of a 33 yard caught pass from McFarland, but the kick failed.

Third quarter action saw Gleason stalled, but Whitehead took in a 1-yard carry for the score and Mulcahy added the kick for 1, ending the quarter with a South Fulton lead, 48-8.

McFarland found the end zone on a 6-yard run in the fourth quarter, but the kick failed, and Gleason did manage a 12 yard run by Wylan Gustafson, for their second TD, but the 2 point conversion was not successful.

Whitehead led South Fulton in rushing, 178 yards in 19 carries, McFarland had 112 yards in 11 carries to his credit, McKnight was good for 16 yards, 3 carries and Gavin Lovell, 2 runs for 4 yards. In passing, McFarland accumulated 95 yards, to Gleason’s Kyzer Crochet with 42. McFarland had completions on 11 of his 15 passing attempts and one interception.

The Red Devils had 402 total offensive yards to Gleason’s 124. South Fulton had 24 first down on the night and Gleason, 9. The Red Devils had 5 penalties for 62 yards and the Bulldogs had 4, for 27 yards.