10:30 P.M. TUESDAY UPDATE: An injunction against the Georgia High School Association is being sought in Superior Court seeking to have the GHS players play on Friday night. A judge will hear the case Wednesday morning.
EARLIER STORY. POSTED TUES. AFTERNOON:
The Gainesville High School appeal to the Georgia High School Association resulted in four player suspensions being overturned, while the remaining 35 suspensions were upheld. The GHSA Board of Trustees met virtually on Tuesday in a called meeting to review Executive Director Tim Scott’s decision to suspend 39 Gainesville players for leaving the sidelines and entering the field of play during a fight in last Friday’s playoff game against Brunswick.
The Gainesville City School System is not giving up and is now considering its legal options.
Gainesville administrators had self-reported that 39 players crossed onto the field during the third-quarter altercation. After reviewing the case, the Board of Trustees voted to reinstate four players but confirmed that 35 will remain suspended for the Red Elephants’ Class 5A quarterfinal matchup against Langston Hughes on November 28.
The players who were reinstated are Xavier Griffin, defensive end, Jamarion Matthews, both University of Alabama commits and defensive backs Roger Holder and Jamarcus Sims. All were already on the field when the fight started.
Gainesville was represented in the hearing by athletic director Adam Lindsey, superintendent Dr. Jeremy Williams, and head football coach Josh Niblett. Williams noted during the nearly two-hour session that the school would not contest the $5,000 fine or the severe warning issued by the GHSA.
A total of 41 Brunswick players were suspended following the incident. The GHSA issued a $5,000 fine to the school, and the Brunswick football program has been placed on probation for the 2026–27 school year. As a result, the Pirates will be ineligible for postseason play next season.
EARLIER STORY. POSTED AT NOON TODAY:
The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) voted this morning to overturn the suspension of four of the 39 players suspended yesterday following an on-field fight that occurred during last Friday’s plaoff game with Brunswick.
That means 35 players will not be allowed to play in Friday’s playoff game against Langston Hughes in Fairburn.
Gainesville school officials had appealed Monday’s GHSA action.
(This story will be updated as more information becomes available.)