The fallout stems from a fight during last Friday’s matchup between Gainesville and Brunswick High School — one that the Glynn County AD takes responsibility for.
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Gainesville High School is preparing to take the Georgia High School Association to court after the GHSA on Wednesday upheld the suspension of 35 football players, only overturning the suspension of four football players who were originally deemed to not be allowed to play in Friday night’s playoff game.
The fallout stems from a fight during last Friday’s matchup between Gainesville and Brunswick High School. Glynn County Schools Athletic Director Steve Waters said Brunswick accepts full responsibility for the altercation and expects its players to face suspensions, fines and possibly even criminal charges.
“This whole incident would not have happened if it wasn’t for two of our kids,” Waters said, adding that the program has “a lot of soul searching to do over the next few months.”
But Gainesville head coach Josh Niblett argues the consequences handed to his own players are far too severe, especially given the timing.
“All of a sudden, we win 42–0 with two minutes left to go in the third. And now this is going to happen, and now we’re going to take this away from our kids,” Niblett said. “I can’t stand by for that.”
The GHSA confirmed it upheld 35 of Gainesville’s 39 suspensions following its review, effectively decimating the team’s roster ahead of the most critical game of the season yet.
The ruling prompted Gainesville officials to prepare legal action, saying they plan to file an injunction in hopes of allowing the players to compete Friday night.
The school’s athletic director told 11Alive they expect to submit the injunction request on Tuesday. In the meantime, Gainesville continues to practice and prepare as if Friday’s game will proceed as scheduled, while also exploring every possible option to challenge the GHSA’s ruling.
Gainesville High School has more than 80 people on its team, but would assumingly be down 35 of its top players if they are forced to sit out of Friday night’s contest against the formidable Langston Hughes on the road.
For now, the Red Elephants remain in limbo — staring down a playoff showdown with almost their entire starting lineup sidelined, and a potential legal fight that could determine whether their season continues.
As far as Brunswick’s punishment goes, a total of 41 players were suspended — likely for next year’s season opener — and the school was issued a $5,000 fine, same as Gainesville. However, the GHSA did hand down a one-year postseason ban for Brunswick High School as part of instigating the fight against Gainesville.