4 Gainesville football players reinstated; dozens still suspended

GAINESVILLE, Ga. - The Georgia High School Association on Tuesday upheld the majority of suspensions issued to Gainesville High School football players after last week’s playoff brawl in Brunswick, allowing only four athletes to return to play following a lengthy and, at times, tense appeal hearing.

Gainesville argued players attempted to de-escalate

What they're saying:

During the hearing, Gainesville Supt. Jeremy Williams argued that the GHSA misinterpreted video evidence and that most suspended players were not trying to escalate the altercation.

"The majority of them did not respond to escalate, but to de-escalate," Williams said, adding that coaches and players had followed guidance throughout the game.

He also criticized officials for not controlling the situation earlier.

"The conflict-resolution guidance for officials from GHSA was not followed," Williams said. "There were six instances where our guys got punched… four where our guys had their helmets ripped off and nothing was done."

Head Coach Josh Niblett grew emotional as he described what led players to rush toward the fight.

"When a guy blindsides a kid from 40 yards away with no helmet… he could have been killed," Niblett said. "What were our kids supposed to do? If your brother didn’t have a helmet on and someone sprinted at him, you’d protect him too."

Niblett also criticized the management of the game saying it "was probably the worst I've ever been a part of in my 29 years of coaching" and that it "didn't have to come to this." Niblett claimed that it was obvious from the start that the team was in a hostile environment and that the fight was instigated by a senior player who should have been removed for his actions. 

GHSA maintains rules were applied correctly

The other side:

GHSA Executive Director Tim Scott emphasized that sideline departure rules had to be enforced, regardless of circumstances.

"I can’t allow both benches to empty," Scott said. "It increases chaos. We have to follow the bylaw."

Trustees reviewed footage repeatedly and questioned Gainesville officials about which players were on the field during the incident. Gainesville confirmed that it submitted jersey numbers — not names — based on each player’s perceived involvement.

"What I submitted was numbers, no names, and what we felt like their involvement was," a Gainesville administrator said. "I’m certainly not saying these are the kids that need to be ejected."

Four players reinstated after trustees reviewed footage

What we know:

After debate, a trustee moved to reinstate two players who were already on the field and appeared not to engage in the fight and the two players whose helmets were ripped off.

The players were identified by their numbers during the vote as numbers 8, 11, 20 and 26.  According to the team roster, the numbers belong to Xavier Griffin (8), Jamarion Matthews (11), Jamarus Sims (20) and Roger Holder (26).

Gainesville still expected to play Friday

Williams closed the hearing by asking the board for "equitable" consideration.

"We would prefer something that is equitable in nature," he said. "You’ve seen Coach Niblett’s heart and Adam’s overview of our perspective."

Despite the reduced roster, he said Gainesville still intends to compete Friday.

The brawl broke out late in the third quarter of Gainesville’s 42–0 playoff win at Brunswick. GHSA has said both programs will face fines, and Brunswick players will also receive suspensions, though those numbers have not yet been finalized.

PREVIOUS STORY: Gainesville football appealing GHSA suspension of 39 players after brawl

The other side:

Brunswick High School's athletic director took responsibility during the hearing for the fight, saying the program has a lot of "soul-searching" to do over the next few months. He also said that the players who initiated the fight were being dealt with both internally and externally, implying possible criminal charges. 

Shortly after the hearing concluded, Brunswick announced the suspension of 41 of its players. It also announced that it has been fined $5,000 and a one year post-season ban has been in place. The involved players may also face other punishment.

RELATED: 41 Brunswick football players suspended, school fined $5K

The backstory:

39 Gainesville football players were initially suspended after a bench-clearing brawl erupted late in the third quarter of Friday’s playoff game against Brunswick. 

Gainesville led 42–0 when a Brunswick defender ripped off two Gainesville players’ helmets and struck one of them. Moments later, the escalating confrontation drew players from both sidelines onto the field, prompting officials to end the game with 1:57 remaining and award Gainesville the win.

Gainesville Athletic Director Adam Lindsey said tensions had been building long before the fight.

"The game was out of hand very early," Lindsey said. "It was getting very chippy… it wasn’t really being managed the right way from an official standpoint."

He added that he warned his team moments before the incident.

"I told our guys, they’re down 42–0. If something happens, just walk away from it."

But he stressed that videos circulating online don’t show the full picture.

Head Coach Josh Niblett said his players were acting out of loyalty, not aggression.

"Our kids didn’t go out there to instigate anything," Niblett said. "They went out there to have each other’s back and protect each other."

Both Gainesville officials argued before the hearing that many of the suspended players did not participate in the fight, including the team's defensive players who were already on the field during the play and two players who were hit after losing their helmets.

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