After the Georgia High School Association’s board of trustees voted to uphold 35 Gainesville player suspensions, the GHSA released its ruling on Brunswick.
Brunswick has received a one-year playoff ban, 41 players were suspended, and the team was fined $5,000 for their part in the fight versus Gainesville in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs last Friday.
Brunswick principal Slade Turner released a statement, saying the school accepts the consequences.
“In addition to the sanctions and suspensions issued by the GHSA, Brunswick High School has initiated its own disciplinary process for the students involved,“ Turner said in a statement. “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.
“At Brunswick High School, we take pride in how our students represent our school and community. What occurred during the game does not align with the expectations we set for our athletes or the example we work to model. This situation gives us an opportunity to reaffirm the values that guide our programs and to continue building a culture that reflects the true character of Brunswick High.”
GHSA director of media relations Marvin James said on Monday the decision was “secondary at the moment because they [Brunswick] had been eliminated from playoff contention.”
“[GHSA] Executive Director, Tim Scott, is prioritizing emphasis on Gainesville because they have a game to play in a few days,” James said on Monday. “There is an appeal request on the table, and now we are attempting to gather the board of trustees for a meeting tomorrow. The results of the investigation and how it will affect Brunswick are forthcoming, but secondary at the moment because they have been eliminated from playoff contention.”
Videos circulating on various social media sites indicate that the altercation on the field seemed to begin when a Brunswick player ripped the helmets off two Gainesville players, then punched one. Also in the video, another Brunswick player sprints from one end of the field to the 50-yard line and runs through a Gainesville player. That’s when both sidelines began to rush the field. Coaches and players are seen on video trying to break up the fight on the field.
Gainesville is set to travel to Langston-Hughes on Friday in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A playoffs. The Red Elephants will be without 14 starters or major contributors in the game. The GHSA did lift the suspension of defensive players Xavier Griffin, Jamarion Matthews, Jamarus Sims and Roger Holder.
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