It's less about replacing HFCS with sugar leading to good outcomes than it is replacing sugar with HFCS leading to worse outcomes. Neither is good, but table sugar is (marginally) less bad.
Choosing between two evils is still evil... How about xylitol with stevia, which has fewer calories, while still having some (not screwing with receptors as much) and combining the two actually curbs the less desirable flavors of both.
I've been using this combination for kool-aid for a while, Generally about 25% of the calories in a pitcher vs sugar. Though I don't do it that often.... sometimes I just want some grape (or black cherry) koolaid.