Photos: Gainesville takes down top-ranked Hughes in GHSA playoffs

Sports

Photos: Gainesville takes down top-ranked Hughes in GHSA playoffs

Hughes tight end Xavier Tiller (11) takes one more walk in the end zone after Hughes lost to Gainesville in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. Gainesville won 40-32. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Hughes head coach Anderico Hines talks to the Hughes football team after their loss to Gainesville in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. Gainesville won 40-32. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville quarterback Kharim Hughley (9) reacts as he is interviewed after their win against Hughes in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. Gainesville won 40-32. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville head coach Josh Niblett talks to members of the media after their win against Hughes in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. Gainesville won 40-32. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville head coach Josh Niblett hugs Gainesville wide receiver Philip Williams (2) after their win against Hughes in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. Gainesville won 40-32. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Hughes quarterback Darnell Kelly (5) attempts a pass during the second half against Gainesville in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. Gainesville won 40-32. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville running back Nigel Newkirk (1) runs for yards during the second half against Hughes in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. Gainesville won 40-32. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Hughes wide receiver Brandon Woodall is carried out on a stretch after he was injured during the second half against Gainesville in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. Gainesville won 40-32. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Hughes players react after Hughes wide receiver Brandon Woodall (not pictured) was seriously injured during the second half against Gainesville in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. Gainesville won 40-32. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville head coach Josh Niblett reacts on the sideline during the second half against Hughes in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. Gainesville won 40-32. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville quarterback Kharim Hughley (9) attempts a pass during the second half against Hughes in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. Gainesville won 40-32. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville running back Dwight Lewis (23) makes a move on Hughes defensive back Jakhari Freeman (20) for a long run during the second half in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. Gainesville won 40-32. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville quarterback Kharim Hughley (9) attempts a pass during the second half against Hughes in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. Gainesville won 40-32. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Hughes tight end Xavier Tiller (11) is tackled by Gainesville linebacker Xavier Griffin (8) and others after a catch by Tiller during the first half in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. Gainesville won 40-32. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville tight end Trent Wilcox (89) scores a receiving touchdown against Hughes defensive back Jalen Hoskins (37) during the first half in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Hughes running back Qwantavius Wiggins (1) runs for a rushing touchdown against Gainesville during the first half in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Hughes running back Qwantavius Wiggins (1) runs for a rushing touchdown against Gainesville during the first half in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville quarterback Kharim Hughley (9) reacts as the first half end against Hughes during their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville tight end Trent Wilcox (89) scores a receiving touchdown against Hughes defensive back Jalen Hoskins (37) during the first half in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville tight end Trent Wilcox (89) scores a receiving touchdown against Hughes defensive back Jalen Hoskins (37) during the first half in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville wide receiver Collin Porterfield (7) reacts after scoring a receiving touchdown with Gainesville wide receiver Philip Williams (2) against Gainesville during the first half in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville wide receiver Collin Porterfield (7) scores a receiving touchdown against Gainesville during the first half in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville quarterback Kharim Hughley (9) attempts a pass during the first half against Hughes in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Hughes running back Carsyn Baker (2) runs for a rushing touchdown against Gainesville during the first half in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville head coach Josh Niblett reacts after a play during the first half against Hughes in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville wide receiver Legend Wilmont (15) scores a receiving touchdown against Hughes during the first half in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Gainesville defensive end Jamarion Matthews (11) attempts to recover a fumble by Hughes running back Qwantavius Wiggins (not pictured) during the first half in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. Gainesville would recover the fumble for a turnover. (Jason Getz / AJC)

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Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Hughes tight end Xavier Tiller (11) takes one more walk in the end zone after Hughes lost to Gainesville in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. Gainesville won 40-32. (Jason Getz / AJC)

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