GAINESVILLE, Ga. — The Georgia High School Association said Tuesday that 41 more players were suspended following on on-field fight during the Brunswick-Gainesville playoff game.
The action against the 41 Brunswick players is in addition to the 39 previously suspended on the Gainesville team.
The GHSA also placed Brunswick’s football program on probation next season, making them ineligible for the 2026-27 postseason. The school was also fined $5,000.
Gainesville City Schools and Gainesville High School leaders appealed the suspensions of dozens of their players on Tuesday, but most still can’t take the field.
The Georgia High School Association suspended 39 Gainesville players after a sideline-clearing fight broke out during Friday night’s football game.
Channel 2’s Steve Gehlbach attended the hearing and breaks down the passionate arguments, LIVE on Channel 2 Action News at Noon.
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The whole fight is said to have lasted about 30 seconds before being broken up.
Gainesville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Williams attended the virtual hearing and conceded that four players actively threw punches and should remain suspended. He added that the school was not appealing the $5,000 fine that was handed down.
Williams argued that the fight only began after a Brunswick player came running and speared a Gainesville player who wasn’t wearing a helmet.
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Gainesville High’s head coach Josh Niblett told Channel 2’s Courtney Francisco that he was “fired up” and “upset” before the appeal hearing. Niblett showcased both of those emotions during the hearing, passionately arguing on behalf of his players.
“I understand there’s a bylaw and understand have to stick to your guns, set a precedent,” Niblett said. “This wasn’t right. Look at that kid running 50 yards. I mean, it’s not right. I don’t know what you want our guys to do when that happened.”
They argued that 10 of the players were defensive players who were already on the field when the fight broke out and did not participate.
Ultimately, the GHSA decided to overturn the suspension of four of those players, denoted only by numbers 8, 11, 20 and 26. The other 35 players’ suspensions were upheld.
Executive Director Dr. Tim Scott argued that they have to follow their bylaws.
“The coaching staff has a responsibility to keep the students on the sidelines,” Scott said.
The suspension means that those players cannot participate in Friday night’s state quarterfinal playoff game against Langston Hughes High School.
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Glynn County school officials previously took responsibility for the actions of two Brunswick players. They said those two students will be dealt with and could face possible criminal charges.
The game, played in Brunswick, was in the third quarter when the fight happened with Gainesville leading 42-0.
Gainesville is scheduled to face Langston Hughes on Friday in the 5A quarterfinal game.
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