For a moment, it looked like the coin toss might not happen at all.

Two weeks after a viral on-field brawl in Brunswick that led to nearly 80 player suspensions and threw the high school football playoffs into chaos, fans who packed the stands on Friday night said they were relieved — and ready — to finally watch Gainesville and Langston Hughes play.

"We got kids that deserve to be playing and didn't deserve to be suspended in the first place," one Gainesville fan told CBS News Atlanta.

Judge reverses suspensions, clearing the way for the game

Earlier this week, a judge reversed the sweeping suspensions issued by the Georgia High School Association, ruling that dozens of students had been unfairly sidelined. The decision reopened the Red Elephants' playoff path and set the stage for Friday night's long-awaited matchup.

For Gainesville Athletic Director Adam Lindsey, who led the legal fight to overturn the suspensions, the ruling brought a deep sense of relief.

"It's a huge weight lifted off everybody's shoulders," Lindsey said. "The last two weeks for me have been the craziest of my career… unnerving and hectic. Just a lot — the uncertainty, the feeling that you're being wronged."

Calls for better officiating and de-escalation

Lindsey says one lesson from the Brunswick brawl is clear: officials and administrators must be empowered to de-escalate tense environments before they spiral.

"You have to look at the totality of the night — the instance — and make decisions based on common sense," he said.

"Worth every moment": Gainesville superintendent on fighting for students

Gainesville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Williams told CBS News Atlanta that advocating for students — even those who made mistakes — was non-negotiable.

"Going to bat for our kids was worth every moment," Williams said. "We had some kids who did some stuff they shouldn't have done, but we wanted to make sure we fought for all of them. And tonight we get to see that."

Was the night filled with relief, joy, or a mix of both?

"I'll let you know after the game," he laughed.

Fulton County leaders also relieved to move forward

On the Langston Hughes side, Fulton County Athletic Director Lamarr Glenn said the decision restored fairness for athletes who earned their spot in the playoffs.

"Elated that these kids get to play football tonight," Glenn said. "Elated that Langston Hughes gets to take the field in a position they rightfully earned."

A community ready to move on

As kickoff approached, the emotion in the stadium was clear: exhaustion, pride — and loyalty.

"We're proud of our boys," another fan said, summing up the mood.

What's next

The Gainesville High Red Elephants will advance to face Rome on Thursday.