GHSA suspends 39 Gainesville football players for brawl that ended playoff game
The Georgia High School Association suspended 39 Gainesville football players Monday because of a fight during Friday night’s playoff victory at Brunswick.
However, the team still plans to play its Class 5A quarterfinal game Friday at No. 1-ranked Hughes, Gainesville City Schools superintendent Jeremy Williams said in a statement Monday revealing the GHSA’s ruling.
“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.”
Gainesville has appealed, and the GHSA has set the hearing for 9 a.m. Tuesday in Thomaston.
GHSA executive director Tim Scott confirmed the suspensions and said there would be fines, though he did not release the amount, as they had not been determined for both schools.
The fines for a multiplayer fight and for players or coaches leaving the bench area are a maximum of $1,000 apiece. Failure to exert reasonable institutional control with players and coaches can draw a $2,500 fine.
Scott said Brunswick also will have athletes suspended from their next athletic contests, but those have not been determined, as his office made the Gainesville ruling the priority, with Friday’s game pending.
The Gainesville-Brunswick game was discontinued with 1:57 left in the third quarter when the fight began. Gainesville was leading 42-0.
According to video, the fight appeared to begin at midfield after a play when a Brunswick defensive player pulled the helmet off one Gainesville player, then another, and punched a Gainesville player.
Players from both teams ran to midfield, and the melee escalated, drawing in players from each sideline.
Players are subject to one-game sit-out penalties for fighting or for leaving the bench area during a fight, according to GHSA bylaws.
Gainesville lists 91 players on its online roster. Per policy, the GHSA will not release the names of the suspended Gainesville players.
Gainesville is ranked No. 4 in Class 5A with several high profile prospects. Defensive players Xavier Griffin, an AJC Super 11 pick, and Jamarion Matthews are committed to Alabama. Quarterback Kharim Hughley is committed to Clemson.
It is not uncommon for GHSA competitions to end because of fights or threats, although it is rare that they impact the playoffs. No football playoff game has been forfeited because of fighting, and no team has played with so many players ineligible.
“Any time you have to suspend an athlete or fine a school, I don’t like that, but sometimes it’s necessary,” Scott said. “I know that both coaching staffs and administrations are upset. Both schools have worked with us and been cooperative, and we appreciate that.”
About the Author
Todd Holcomb covers high school sports across the state. He rejoined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2025 and has worked with the AJC in varying capacities since 1985. He is a co-founder and editor of Georgia High School Football Daily.
