GHSA investigating Gainesville-Brunswick fight, punishment decision coming
The Georgia High School Association will investigate a fight that ended Gainesville’s second-round playoff game at Brunswick in the third quarter Friday.
Gainesville, which led 42-0 when the fight occurred, could have many players suspended for the playoff quarterfinals. Brunswick’s season ended, but the school could still face fines according to the GHSA’s bylaws.
While the Red Elephants are slated to play defending 5A state champion Hughes on Friday, GHSA executive director Tim Scott didn’t rule out Gainesville’s elimination from the playoffs as part of the team’s punishment.
The GHSA will receive a game report from officials on Saturday and will review film afterward. Scott said the GHSA hopes to have a decision on punishment for both schools on Monday.
“Any time we have an unsportsmanlike situation as we did last night, we hate that,” Scott said. “I know the schools hated that, both their administration and coaches. We take that seriously, it’s under investigation, we’re looking at it, and we’ll hopefully have a decision no later than Monday morning.”
The fight broke out around the 50-yard line with roughly two minutes left in the third quarter. One fan’s video caught a Brunswick receiver apparently ripping two players’ helmets off their heads.
The situation escalated quickly from there.
Both schools are subject to fines, according to the GHSA’s sportsmanship bylaws. Any players that were on the field and participated in the fight or players who left the sideline during the altercation are also subject to punishment.
The GHSA can review film to identify fight participants subject to punishment.
“The Glynn County School System and Brunswick High School deeply regret the unfortunate incident that occurred last night at Glynn County Stadium,” Glynn County assistant athletic director Steve Waters said in a statement. “We are working closely with Gainesville High School and the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) to thoroughly review the situation and assess all relevant details. We are fully committed to cooperating with the GHSA to ensure a swift and appropriate resolution.”
Gainesville is scheduled to make its third quarterfinals appearance in the last four seasons at Hughes. The Red Elephants will try to avenge a 2022 state championship loss to the Panthers in head coach Josh Niblett’s first season.
“While we are waiting to get an official ruling from the GHSA on Monday, we will continue to prepare for our third-round matchup with Langston Hughes next Friday night,” Gainesville athletic director Adam Lindsey said.
The Gainesville-Brunswick game is not the first to be canceled by a fight this season. Northeast’s game at Southwest in Week 2 was also canceled due to a brawl, according to The Macon Melody.
Relevant GHSA sportsmanship bylaws
- Schools whose substitutes leave the bench area to go to the area of a fight will be fined by the GHSA Executive Director.
- All players who are involved in a fight and any substitutes who leave the bench area during a fight or potential fight and are ejected from the current contest, will be subject to the sit-out rule.
- The GHSA office may review film to determine participants in a fight situation, or to determine athletes leaving their bench to go to a fight, or to verify the correct number worn by a player in either of these situations. Note: penalties may then be levied, modified or changed based on this film review.
This story will be updated as new details emerge.
About the Author
Jack Leo is a sports writer and reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jack worked for the AJC throughout his four years studying journalism and sports media at Georgia State University and the University of Georgia. He's now focused on telling stories in the grassroots: bringing comprehensive coverage of high school sports for AJC Varsity.
