Former FHS great George Harris, who would later star for Ole Miss and play in two Sugar Bowls, died Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, in Ozark, Ala. He was 78. Harris, who played on Franklin's 1946 and 1947 teams, retired from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel. He played on coach John Vaught's Ole Miss teams from 1952-54. The 1954 team won the Southeastern Conference title and defeated Navy, 21-0, in the 1955 Sugar Bowl. Harris, 6-0, 194, had seven catches for 115 yards going into the 1954 finale against Mississippi State. He stole a pitchout after the Bulldogs reached the Ole Miss 18, and returned the ball 22 yards to the 40, triggering a TD drive in the 14-0 victory that clinched the SEC crown. Harris injured an ankle in the first quarter of the Sugar Bowl, and saw only limited action after that. Ole Miss went 24-5-3 from 1952-54. Harris also played in the 1953 Sugar Bowl -- a 24-7 loss to Georgia Tech. His fumble recovery on the Maryland 13, in which he leaped over two Terrapins, set up a touchdown that sparked a 21-14 upset in 1952. Harris caught seven passes for 89 yards that season. Franklin celebrated George Harris Night on March 10, 1955, with a testamonial at the Elks Club followed by a get-together at the Lions Club. Former Ole Miss All-American Crawford Mims was guest speaker at the affair where a film of the Ole Miss-Mississippi State game was shown. Harris remained an avid Ole Miss fan. Born April 19,1929, in Franklin, he was a son of Wladzia Sitkoski Harris and Michael George Harris. He graduated from St. Vincent Community College before heading to Ole Miss. He joined the U.S. Army in 1955 and served until his retirement in 1975. He began a career as a ROTC  senior instructor at Holt High School in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and then at Carroll High School from 1977-92. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Willie Mitchem Harris. Survivors also include three sisters and one brother-in-law, Sally Marshall of Franklin, Helen Sharp and husband, Bill, of Franklin and Diana Boal of Polk; a sister-in-law, Tootie Harris of Franklin; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, John and Sonnie Harris of Rimersburg, Michael Harris of Clementon, N.J., and William and Tina Harris of Orlando, Fla. A sister, Mary Ann Buck, and a brother, Carl Harris, preceded him in death. The family received friends Tuesday, Sept. 11, at Holman Funeral Home, 995 South Union Ave., Ozark, Ala. Guest registries were being taken at holmanfuneralhome,com. Interment, with full military honors, was scheduled for Sept. 12 at  Fort Mitchell National Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, Ala.