The GHSA has reduced the number of suspended players from Gainesville’s involvement in a brawl during last week’s playoff game vs. Brunswick from 39 to 35, while also announcing the punishment for Brunswick High School’s role in the fight.
Gainesville learned of their new fate during an appeal via video conference between the GHSA and Gainesville officials.
The number of suspended players was reduced from 39 players to 35, and those players will serve the suspension during this week’s quarterfinal matchup against Langston Hughes. The school was also fined $5,000 for their players’ involvement in the fight, which they did not contest.
In a separate decision, the GHSA suspended 41 Brunswick players who were determined to have been involved in the fight with Gainesville players. The school was also fined $5,000 by the GHSA and was placed on probation for the 2026-2027 season, which will include a postseason ban, making Brunswick ineligible for any postseason play that they may have qualified for in 2026.
“On behalf of the Glynn County School System, we thank the GHSA, Dr. Scott, and his staff for their leadership and swift resolution,” said Steve Waters, Glynn County assistant superintendent and county athletic director, in a statement provided to ITG Next. “Their decision has been made, and we fully support and comply with all sanctions issued to the Brunswick High School football program.
“There is no place for incidents like this in education-based athletics, and we deeply regret the incident that took place last Friday night.
“Moving forward, our football program will be focused on learning from this incident and reinforcing the values of sportsmanship, discipline, and respect.”
Included in the statement from Waters was a separate statement from Slade Turner, Brunswick High School principal, that included the following: “Brunswick High School accepts the ruling of the GHSA and will fully comply with all directives immediately.
“Brunswick High School has initiated its own disciplinary process for the students involved. Those who committed the most serious sportsmanship violations will receive consequences in accordance with the Glynn County Code of Conduct, in addition to any penalties imposed by the GHSA.”
Background
The rulings come after the GHSA had initially reviewed video evidence of the brawl that broke out in last week’s Georgia high school Class 5A second-round playoff game between players from Brunswick and Gainesville.
Thirty-nine players from Gainesville were suspended for their involvement in the fight that broke out late in the third quarter. That supposedly included the 11 defensive players who were on the field when the fight broke out.
Gainesville appealed that ruling, and in the virtual appeal on Nov. 25, the GHSA decided to reduce the number of suspended players from 39 to 35.
“Absolutely not what I was expecting”
On Nov. 24 prior to Gainesville’s appeal, Adam Lindsey, Gainesville athletic director, was direct when asked about the first GHSA ruling.
“It was absolutely not what I was expecting,” Lindsey said of the decision. “My biggest question is how they (GHSA) ejected the 11 defensive players who were 50 yards away from where it all started. They ejected two players who had their helmets ripped off by the opposing player. I don’t understand at what point our kids are not allowed to protect themselves without being suspended.”
Those players who had their helmets ripped off were two of the four Gainesville players reinstated.
Lindsey indicated that with so many players being suspended, it would make things tough in a quarterfinal matchup, especially against a program like Hughes.
“We lose the opportunity to play at full strength next week against a really good team,” Lindsey said.
On Nov. 24 prior to Gainesville’s appeal, Dr. Tim Scott, GHSA executive director, told ITG Next that he and fellow members of the GHSA try to be as thorough and fair as possible in their rulings.
“There is a group of us that review all available video footage of the incident, then we do the best that we can in determining who has violated the sportsmanship bylaws,” Scott said.
He said the schools are also included in the review process.
“We always go to each school that is involved and ask for their input,” Scott said. “Then each school sends in a list of the names of those players that they feel were involved.”
Turner confirmed that in a statement provided to ITG Next on Nov. 25 following the GHSA’s ruling.
“Brunswick High School provided the GHSA with all available game film, as well as detailed lists identifying players who entered the field, those who actively engaged in the altercation, and those who remained on the sideline as instructed,” Turner said in the statement. “The GHSA reviewed all information submitted by both Brunswick High School and Gainesville High School and issued (their ruling).”
Scott added that the Nov. 25 appeal before the GHSA Board of Trustees would be the final word.
“There is no additional appeal,” Scott said. “The Board of Trustees will make the absolute final decision.”
Gainesville to have approximately 50 players available for Hughes Game
Lindsey said that the Red Elephants football team normally dresses approximately 85 players for each game. With 35 players suspended for the game versus Hughes, that will give Gainesville an available roster of approximately 50 players available for the quarterfinals game.
