Devils vs. Pilots’ 2nd quarter crucial in SF win

The bookend quarters of Friday night’s lights at the South Fulton Red Devils’ field, hosting Fulton County High School’s Pilots, closed out with a one-point difference.

The third quarter of play resulted in just a touchdown separating the opponents.

But when you add the second quarter to the mix, which saw a 20-0 shutout by the hosts, it was just the right recipe.

South Fulton took the home field victory, 40-12.

SFHS quarterback Brady McFarland ran in from two yards to strike first, and Charlie Mike Mulcahy kicked the extra point, and cinched the lead, 7-0.

Fulton County’s Kalon McCauley was targeted and hit by Preston Smith, and McCauley ran it in for the Pilots’ first score on the night. Their two point attempt was no good, with Fulton County down by 1 at the end of the first.

Then came the all-important second quarter.

Three Red Devils found the endzone before the half ended, beginning with McFarland running in from 4 yards and Mulcahy kicking for the extra point, and a 14-6 advantage.

McFarland then threw to Jonathan Doss, nine yards for a TD, but this time, Mulcahy’s extra point was blocked.

Luke Morris scored for South Fulton on a 1-yard run-in and this time, Mulcahy found redemption with the extra point, and the Devils ended the first half with a comfortable 27-6 lead.

When the teams returned to the field after halftime, Red Devil Dallas Whitehead rushed for 10 yard and a score, and then again, for 20 yards into the endzone. Mulcahy’s first kick was no good, but the second one made through, and increased extended the lead for South Fulton, 40-6.

Fulton County scored once more, in the fourth and final quarter, on a pass to Pilot Jayden Smith. The attempt for the two point conversion failed to materialize.

McFarland had 121 total passing yards on the night for South Fulton, with Fulton County’s Preston Smith accumulating 153 passing yards, and FCHS Pilot Kalon McCauley passing for 11 yards.

In rushing, Whitehead had 168 yards in 17 carries, Will Clapper had 21 yards in 3, and Josh McKnight had 6 yards in one carry, for the Red Devils. McFarland had 41 yards of rushing in 5 carries, Conner ONeal had 24 yards in his carry, Gavin Lovell had 8 yards in 2 carries, and Luke Morris, 1 for 1.

Fulton County’s Kalon McCauley rushed for 49 yards in 6 carries and Damien Hill had 2 yards in two tries to his credit.

McKnight was hit four times for 52 yards for South Fulton, Conner ONeal connected with McFarland 2 times for 14 yards, Jonathan Doss, one catch for 9 yards, Kaedyn Haynes, with 33 yards linked to his reception and Dane Cirkles, 13 yards from his.

Fulton County’s Zayden Kinney was on the receiving end of a 40 yard pass, Damien Hill, 94 yards in his 4 receptions, Jayden Smith, 5 for 53 and McCauley, 2 for 27 yards.

As a team, the Red Devils had 381 yards in total offense, had 18 first downs and 4 penalties for 35 yards altogether.

Fulton County’s Pilots had 164 passing yards, 10 first downs and 7 penalties for 49 yards.

Defensively for the Pilots, Braxton Bridges had a team-high nine tackles, while teammates Logan Griffiths had eight, David Allison had six including one sack, Jayden Smith had five, James Parker had four, as well as TreShaun Leons, with one coming as a sack. Pilots Ryan Prehoda, Hill, and Javen Kimmons each had three tackles, while McCauley, Tevin Hammond, Dalton Blankenship, Kinney and Nyjah Montgomery each had two, and Evan Mallett and Preston Smith each had one tackle.

The Pilots were originally scheduled to host the Calloway County Lakers this Friday night, but that game has now been changed to a road game as the lights are still being worked on at Sanger Field. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils will look to remain unbeaten as they host Tipton-Rosemark with kick-off also scheduled for 7 p.m.