GAINESVILLE, Ga. – The Gainesville football team will resume its season on Friday.
The Georgia High School Association announced Gainesville will travel to Langston-Hughes in the quarterfinals on Friday to resume the Class 5A playoffs.
The GHSA has also rescheduled the final two rounds of the Class 5A playoffs, with the semifinals now set for Dec. 11 and the finals for Dec. 17. Rome, Thomas County Central and Roswell have already made the semifinals; the winner of Friday’s game will play at Rome.
“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 season was briefly paused last Wednesday night when the GHSA postponed the Red Elephants’ scheduled playoff game, initially set for Friday, Nov. 28. The GHSA postponed the game 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.
“We are incredibly proud of our players and coaching staff for maintaining their focus and resolve during a challenging and unpredictable week,” said GHS 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.”
The ruling means Gainesville will have most of its roster available on Friday. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m.
GHSA director of media relations Marvin James released a statement Monday afternoon.
GHSA Executive Director Dr. Tim Scott announced that Gainesville and Langston Hughes would play despite the organization’s appeal of the injunction granted to Gainesville High School last Wednesday. The judge’s ruling overturned the suspension of 34 Gainesville players who were penalized for leaving the sideline and fighting with Brunswick two weeks ago.
That means the Class 5A quarterfinal between Langston Hughes and Gainesville is officially rescheduled for December 5, and the Red Elephants will be able to compete with all of their players.
The delay also impacts the opposite side of the bracket: Roswell and Thomas County Central will no longer play on Friday, December 5. Their semifinal matchup has been moved to Thursday, December 11.
Additionally, the winner of Langston Hughes–Gainesville will face Rome on December 11th as well, to determine which two teams will advance to the GHSA state championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 17 at 8 p.m.
The 6A game will swap places with the 5A finals, which were previously scheduled for Tuesday, December 16.
The post SPORTS: Gainesville to play football quarterfinal Friday appeared first on AccessWdun.
