Gainesville to play football game with full roster | New football playoff schedule

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Georgia’s high school football teams will be allowed to play once again after a brawl during a playoff matchup led to postponed games, suspensions and legal issues.

The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) met on Monday with six teams whose playoff futures remained uncertain due to ongoing disputes stemming from a brawl during a playoff matchup between Gainesville and Brunswick high schools.

The controversy began with 38 player suspensions following the Gainesville-Brunswick game on Nov. 21, which were later reduced to 34. A judge then ruled only four suspensions were warranted, but the GHSA disagreed and appealed the decision.

>> Fulton County athletic director gives update:

The association’s appeal left the teams in limbo. Gainesville was scheduled to play Langston Hughes on Nov. 28, but the game was postponed indefinitely. The delay created a snowball effect, making this Friday’s semifinals uncertain as well.

RELATED: 38 Gainesville High School football players suspended after massive fight during playoff game

Following that meeting, Fulton County Athletic Director Lamarr Glenn said he was informed Langston Hughes, Gainesville, Roswell, Thomas County Central and Rome high schools would be allowed to face each other in the upcoming playoffs. Rome, Thomas County Central, and Roswell had already made the semifinals.

The Georgia High School Association has also rescheduled the final two rounds of the playoffs for Class 5A with the semifinals now set for Dec. 11 and the finals for Dec. 17.

The biggest change comes in the finals schedule: the 6A championship will be moved up to Tuesday, and the 5A championship will be moved to Wednesday.

“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.”

RELATED: GHSA hands down post-season ban to Brunswick for involvement in fight during game vs Gainesville

The season was briefly paused last Wednesday night when the GHSA postponed the Red Elephants’ scheduled playoff game. The postponement was executed by the GHSA in an effort to begin an appeals process regarding a judgment levied earlier that afternoon.

The judgment, issued by Northeastern Judicial Circuit Judge Clint Bearden, placed a temporary restraining order (TRO) on a GHSA ruling that had suspended 38 GHS football players. The suspensions were in the wake of an on-field incident that occurred during the Red Elephants’ second-round matchup against Brunswick at Glynn County Stadium on Nov. 21.

GHSA said Gainesville and Langston Hughes will play “despite the organization’s appeal of the injunction granted to Gainesville High School last Wednesday.”

The originally postponed quarterfinal game between Langston Hughes and Gainesville will now take place Friday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. It will air on Atlanta News First and will stream on Atlanta News First+. Coverage begins at 7 p.m.

In the semifinals, the winner of Friday’s game will face Rome on Dec. 11. Thomas County Central and Roswell will also play on Dec. 11.

State championship games are scheduled for Dec. 15-17 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The two winners of the Dec. 11 Class 5A semifinal games will advance to the finals on Dec. 17.

“We are incredibly proud of our players and coaching staff for maintaining their focus and resolve during a challenging and unpredictable week,” said Gainesville High Athletic Director Adam Lindsey. “The Red Elephants are ready to get back on the field and represent our community in the state playoffs. We encourage all of Red Elephant Nation to travel and support the team this Friday.”

Rome High School athletics declined to comment on Monday’s decision.

This is a developing story. Return to Atlanta News First for updates.