Wednesday, Feb. 4, was an exciting morning for Brantley High School senior Anthony Gulley as he officially signed with Auburn University on a football scholarship.

With family members and BHS staff present, Gulley smiled quietly.

Wiping her eyes continuously with a Kleenex, Gulley’s great-grandmother Geraldine Bennett of Brantley couldn’t help but be happy and proud.

“Now don’t get me started on what this day means to me,” Bennett said, choking up.

Gulley’s parents, Matthew and Tooney Morgan, were also all smiles as well.

“We are just too excited,” Tooney Morgan said. “We never imagined anything like this would happen.”

Matthew Morgan agreed.

“I’m really proud of him,” Morgan said, smiling. “This is just such a great day for him.”

As for Anthony, who helped lead the Brantley Bulldogs to a perfect 10-0 regular season this year, he took the scholarship signing with quiet joy, handshakes, and hugs.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “This is the best day of my life.”

“We just can’t say enough of how proud we are of him,” Tooney Morgan said. “As far as we are concerned, there is no difference between him and our own sons….we love them all the same.”

Dr. Charles Tompkins and his wife Susan were also on hand to congratulate Gulley, as well as BHS Principal Ashley Catrett, Coach Ashley Kilcrease and Coach Andrew Kilcrease.

Another person with a big smile on his face as well was head football coach David Lowery.

“Anthony’s a great athlete, and he’s an even better kid,” Lowery said, smiling.