FAIRHOPE — Fairhope residents and football fans gathered at Fairhope Brewing Company on Friday night to watch Fairhope native Riley Leonard lead Notre Dame to its first-ever College Football Playoff with a victory over Indiana.

In the first year of the highly anticipated expansion of the College Football Playoff, fans of Leonard, Notre Dame and even a few Indiana supporters flocked to Fairhope Brewing Company. Virtually every seat in the building was occupied, with a sea of fans proudly wearing Irish green.

While many came to watch Notre Dame’s 27-17 playoff victory over Indiana, many were also there to see Fairhope’s very own Riley Leonard take center stage on one of the biggest platforms in college football.

Leonard, a former standout at Fairhope High School, threw for 1,870 yards and 20 touchdowns during his senior year while also rushing for nearly 500 yards. After graduating, he began his college career at Duke, where in his sophomore season he led the Blue Devils to an 8-4 record and a Military Bowl victory over UCF, earning MVP honors.

For his senior season, Leonard transferred to Notre Dame. Against Indiana, he completed 23 of 32 passes for 201 yards, two total touchdowns and one interception in the Irish’s 27-17 win. Leonard also set a school record for single season rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, scoring his 15th touchdown of the season in Friday’s victory.

“To be here right now, it’s really fulfilling,” Leonard told NBC Sports. “You know you made the right decision. And I knew I made the right decision right away, but this reassurance is really good, obviously. Notre Dame fans have been talking about this day since I committed — the 12-team Playoff. They were all over it. So, we’re able to grant their wish.”

Leonard’s college football journey isn’t over yet. Next up, he and the Fighting Irish will travel to New Orleans to play Georgia in the Sugar Bowl as part of the quarterfinals of the newly expanded College Football Playoff. Leonard has also accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl, which is scheduled to take place very close to home in Mobile at Hancock Whitney Stadium on Jan. 1.