A Hall County judge listened to Gainesville (Ga.) case for an injunction on Wednesday afternoon and has ruled in favor of the Red Elephants, according to a report.
Superior Court judge Clint Bearden has granted Gainesville its request for an injunction against the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), with the result meaning the Red Elephants will have their full compliment of players on Friday night in a Class 5A state quarterfinal against Langston Hughes.
Late in the third quarter, trailing 42-0, a fight broke out between Brunswick and Gainesville, with video showing Pirates’ players instigating Red Elephants’ players, igniting an all out melee between the two teams.
The GHSA had initially suspended 39 Gainesville players, but decided to uphold 35 of those and to not suspend four Red Elephant players.
Gainesville head coach Josh Niblett voiced his frustrations on Tuesday regarding the decision made by the GHSA initially to suspend 39 Red Elephant players.
“You watch the two helmets get ripped off, you don’t see our kids throw a punch, you don’t see our kids push the kid, you see our guys step in between them and then get his helmet ripped off and then the guy jabs him with a punch. And they still back away,” Niblett said via a 11Alive report.
The GHSA decided on its punishment for Brunswick, which included suspending 41 players, a $5,000 fine and has barred the Pirates’ football program from participating in the 2026 postseason.
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