BREAKING: Gainesville to weather 39 suspensions after second-round fight

The GHSA announced suspensions stemming from a sideline-clearing fight between Class 5A No. 4 Gainesville and Brunswick during last Friday's second-round contest, which was called with 1:57 left in the third quarter with the Red Elephants leading 42-0.

Heading to their quarterfinals matchup against No. 2-ranked Langston Hughes, the Red Elephants will be without 39 players. According to the GHSA Bylaws, Gainesville was found guilty of "violating sportsmanship and sideline control bylaws, including players leaving the bench area during the incident."

The fight seemingly began when a Brunswick player took out frustration of being down 42-0 by attacking and ripping the helmet off a Gainesville player. The player continued the attack, resulting in both sidelines clearing.

Gainesville City Schools Superintendent Jeremy Williams defended the Gainesville players in his response to the ruling and announced Gainesville will be appealing the decision.

“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,” Williams said. “The large majority of our team entered the field with the intent to separate and resolve the incident, not escalate. Every true team would do the same. It’s disappointing that a hard-line interpretation of the rule was applied, and we will be appealing.”

Score Atlanta will post an update on the process of Gainesville’s appeal.