35 Gainesville high school football players still suspended for brawl after appeal

GAINESVILLE, GA — It is a small win for a metro Atlanta area high school after they requested to appeal the decision to suspend dozens of football players after they were involved in a fight during a recent playoff game.

Four defensive players suspended by the Georgia High School Association have had their suspensions lifted. They are Xavier Griffin, Roger Holder, Jamarion Matthews, and Jamarus Sims.

Among those defending Gainesville’s appeal to the GHSA was the Brunswick High School athletic director who took responsibility for the fight.

The Georgia High School Association issued a post-season ban to the Brunswick High School football team. They have also been fined $5,000.

Officials say the Gainesville High School football team was ahead 42-0 against Brunswick when a fight broke out on Friday.

35 players will remain sidelined. It’s a massive blow to Gainesville’s chances at a state title. They will be missing nearly half of their roster.

Gainesville City Schools Superintendent Jeremy Williams says the team still plans to play its Class 5-A quarterfinal game against No. 2-ranked Langston-Hughes High School on Friday.

Williams says, “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.”

The Georgia High School Football Association released the following statement after the brawl.

“Friday night’s second-round Class 5A playoff matchup between Gainesville and Brunswick took an unfortunate turn when a fight broke out near the end of the third quarter.

Following a review of the incident, the Georgia High School Association, announced that 39 Gainesville players have been suspended for this week’s state quarterfinal showdown.

The GHSA also handed down a fine of $5,000 to the school.

Gainesville is scheduled to face Langston Hughes this Friday night. The Red Elephants have requested to appeal the ruling Tuesday morning, virtually before the GHSA Board of Trustees."

—   Georgia High School Football Association