Thomas Cogdell
ASU Student Journalist

Chandler Prep' Fulgham sets school record in 55-0 win

September 30, 2022 by Thomas Cogdell, Arizona State University


Creon Fulgham looks to receive a pass from quarterback Nolan Kemper leading to the fourth touchdown of the game. (Thomas Cogdell/AZpreps365)

Thomas Cogdell is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Chandler Preparatory Academy for AZpreps365.com

While most high schoolers celebrate homecoming week because of the dance and the opportunity to show school spirit, Creon Fulgham will be celebrating his name entering the school record book.

The junior wide receiver broke Chandler Preparatory Academy's record for touchdowns in a single game on Friday, crossing the pylon four times as a running back and seven times total, propelling his team to a 55-0 win over San Pasqual.

Chandler Prep improved to 3-3.

The wide receiver who spends most of his time lining up close to the sideline carried the ball six times for 199 rushing yards. 

Although it is not unusual to see Fulgham take handoffs, the Titans' rushing attack usually is delegated to running back AJ Robinson, who sat most of the game with a calf injury.

The extra load of having to play wide receiver and run the ball is one Fulgham took on with ease starting from the first play. 

Before fans could even find their seats, Fulgham already had punched in a touchdown from 85 yards on the game's opening kick.

By the time San Pasqual took the ball on offense, it was already too late to come back. The scoring fiesta Fulgham put on had only just begun.  

In his second time taking the field, Fulgham once again took one to the house, bringing the score to 14-0 and his touchdown total to two after only five minutes of play.

“Our confidence definitely went up, but I don’t like bragging about myself,” Fulgham said of the opening play. “I knew that I could stay confident, but I gotta stay humble.” 

This mentality of staying humble kept Fulgham's eyes away from the scoreboard and focused on the end zone. The Titans' next drive ended in the same place the game started -- in the hands of Fulgham.  

The trend of watching the Titans halt San Pasqual's offense just to go down and score continued throughout the first quarter. When the clock hit zero, and the number one on the scoreboard flipped to two, Fulgham had already scored four times.  

While all this scoring was a surprise to fans and parents, it was not to head coach Frank Peake. 

“You have to expect it out of Creon,” Peake said. “He’s an extraordinary player, and he gives 110 percent every play. It doesn’t surprise me.”  

Closing out the half, Fulgham's six touchdowns had already tied the school's record, but even with a 49-point lead, he was still hungry. 

“They said the record was six, and I wanted more,” Fulgham said. “I wanted to make it unbeatable. I wanted it to be mine.” 

Although the second half did not start as strong as the first, the wide receiver turned running back eventually found the end zone again. This time on a 55-yard rushing touchdown, widening the Titans' lead to an unreachable 55 points and giving him the record.

While Fulgham’s junior homecoming game is one to remember, it will not be his last. Senior quarterback Nolan Kemper threw for one of Fulgham's seven touchdowns in his last time playing in front of a homecoming crowd.

“It felt great,” Kemper said. “Games like this feel amazing. You get everyone in. You have good spirit, good moral the whole time.”