3:15 P.M. MONDAY UPDATE: In addition to suspending 39 players for a Friday football game, on-field brawl, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Monday announced it is fining the city school system $5,000. Here’s the full GHSA statement:
“Friday night’s second-round Class 5A playoff matchup between Gainesville and Brunswick took an unfortunate turn when a fight broke out near the end of the third quarter. Following a review of the incident…39 Gainesville players have been suspended for this week’s state quarterfinal game (and a $5,000 fine imposed.) Gainesville is scheduled to face Langston Hughes this Friday. The Red Elephants have requested to appeal the ruling Tuesday, virtually, before the GHSA Board of Trustees.”
ORIGINAL STORY. POSTED MONDAY AT 12:30 P.M.: The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Monday suspended 39 Gainesville High School because of that on-field fight Friday night during a playoff game with Brunswick that led officials to call the game with about two minutes left in the third quarter.
But the city school system plans to appeal. And Supt. Jeremy William also says the Red Elephants still plan to play next week in the second round of the playoffs.
“While we typically do not condone this type of behavior, we will not sit back and watch our teammates be assaulted by ripping off helmets, punching, and barreling over a helmet-less player,” Williams said in the statement. “The large majority of our team entered the field with the intent to separate and resolve the incident, not escalate. Every true team would do the same. It’s disappointing a hard-line interpretation of the rule was applied, and we will be appealing.”
At last check the GHSA had not released any other details about its ruling.
Gainesville was leading 42-0 when the game was halted. The Gainesville-Brunswick game was discontinued with 1:57 left in the third quarter when the fight began. Gainesville was leading 42-0.