Georgia High School football playoff schedule set after concerns over suspension challenges
The Georgia High School Association have made a decision on when the high school football semifinals will continue after a fight during a playoff game ended with suspensions and a legal battle.
On Monday, GHSA Executive Director Tim Scott met virtually with Thomas County Central, Roswell, and district athletic directors to determine the next steps and finalize a plan.
After the meeting Fulton County Athletic Director Lamarr Glenn announced that Langston Hughes High School and Gainesville High School's postponed 5A football quarterfinal will happen on Friday.
The winner of that round will then face off against Rome in the 5A state semifinal round on Dec. 11. On the other side of the bracket, Roswell and Thomas County Central's match has moved to the same day, instead of the original Friday matchup.
The two remaining teams will meet in the state championship round, which will happen at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 17.
"Our boys have earned the opportunity to see their season continue and have been working in the meantime to make sure we put our best foot forward when given word it would continue," said Gainesville football coach Josh Niblett. "To God be the glory and Go Big Red."
The potential delay comes after a series of suspensions stemming from a violent on-field brawl in the second round of the playoffs between Gainesville High School and Brunswick High School. Gainesville was leading 42–0 when multiple Brunswick players allegedly punched, tackled, and removed helmets from Gainesville players.
Following the incident, nearly 80 players from both schools faced disciplinary action from the GHSA. The Gainesville City School District filed a petition on Nov. 26 seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to prevent GHSA from enforcing the suspensions before Gainesville's scheduled quarterfinal game against Langston Hughes High School. The injunction reinstated most of the suspended players, while four players remained sidelined.
Superintendent Jeremy Williams and Gainesville officials have maintained that their players acted in self-defense during the brawl and have defended their reinstatement as the legal process continues.
Despite the GHSA's appeal of the judge's injunction, Glenn said that he believed that all of Gainesville High School's players will be able to compete in the semifinal.
The changes to the schedule mean that the 6A championship game will swap places with the 5A and will take place on Dec. 16.