Web posted September 13, 1997

From Staff Reports

On a night when Glenn Hills High School paid tribute to a former football player who was killed in the line of duty as a school security officer, Glenn Hills and Butler fought to a 6-6 tie at Lumpkin Road Stadium.

Glenn Hills officials paid tribute to Michael Stephenson, who was killed in July while responding to a school alarm.

The family of Stephenson was given the football from the Friday night game against Butler High School. It was signed by Principal Calvin Holland, coaches and players.

The school also is planning to retire the football jersey Stephenson wore while he was a student at Glenn Hills. He graduated in 1985. The ceremony has not been scheduled.

``We want to recognize an outstanding individual. We don't want to forget him,'' Holland said.

Glenn Hills' Willie Walden got the Spartans' lone touchdown on a 20-yard run in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Butler's Johnny Beckham scored on a 6-yard run.

Glenn Hills (0-0-1) had three other solid scoring opportunities, but failed to punch anything across. In the third quarter, the Spartans got to the Butler 10 before shutting down, and with two minutes left in the game, they had a first down at the 10.

Butler threatened in the third period but fumbled the ball away.

Standouts on defense included Butler's Jason Williams, who had 10 tackles, and Butler Middleton, with eight tackles. Troy Hill had nine tackles, while George Dixon had eight tackles for Glenn Hills.

Butler 0 6 0 0- 6

Glenn Hills 6 0 0 0- 6

GH- Willie Walden 20 run (run failed)

B- Johnny Beckham 6 yard run (run failed)

Records: Butler 1-0-1; Glenn Hills 0-0-1.