The Georgia Class AAAAA state quarterfinal showdown between
Langston Hughes (Fairburn) and
Gainesville will be played Friday, Dec. 5 after legal action forced the postponement last week.
The Georgia High School Association
announced the decision on X while also saying Gainesville would be able to compete with all of its players.
The school and state association had been embroiled in a legal dispute after the state ruled 34 Gainesville players would be ineligible after leaving the sideline in a fight two weeks ago against Brunswick. Gainesville got a court injunction and the GHSA appealed the decision. No outcome of that appeal has been rendered.
How to watch
Date: Dec. 5
Location: Langston Hughes High School | Fairburn
Streaming: NFHS Network
Top 60 Class of 2027 Georgia commit Kelsey Adams anchors an imposing offensive line for Langston Hughes. (PHOTO: Kenny Grimes)
The state final will be played at 8 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Mercedes-Benz Dome in Atlanta, swapping places with the Class AAAAAA game.
Langston Hughes comes into the matchup unbeaten at 12-0 while outscoring opponents by 32.1 points per contest on the season. The Panthers are ranked No. 29 nationally and No. 4 in the state.
Gainesville enters the showdown with a record of 10-2 and is outscoring opponents by 28.1 points per outing. The Red Elephants are ranked No. 46 nationally and No. 8 in the state.
The last matchup between the two teams came in the 2022 championship game when Langston Hughes took down Gainesville 35-28.
Averaging 45 points per game on the season, the unblemished Panthers are led by Colorado State commit
Darnell Kelly, who has thrown for 1,972 yards and 25 touchdowns vs. eight interceptions while adding 508 yards and eight additional touchdowns on the ground.
Wisconsin commit
Qwantavius Wiggins leads the Langston Hughes ground game with 1,124 yards with 17 touchdowns.
Leading a Gainesville offense that is averaging 42.6 points per game, junior quarterback
Kharim Hughley has 2,203 passing yards and 34 total touchdowns against just five interceptions.
Junior running back
Nigel Newkirk has 1,425 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground for the Red Elephants. Senior
Philip Williams is the leading receiver with 39 receptions for 612 yards and five scores.
Players to watch
Gainesville: LB
Xaver Griffin (6-4, 215, Alabama), EDGE
Jamarion Matthews (6-3, 255, Alabama), DL
Ayden Cain (6-2, 275, Duke), QB
Kharim Hughley (6-0, 195, Clemson), OT
Tyler Ford (6-5, 325)
Langston-Hughes: OL
Kelsey Adams (6-6, 295, Georgia), TE
Xavier Tiller (6-5, 226, Florida State), RB
Carsyn Baker (6-2, 210, Florida), RB
Qwantavius Wiggins (5-11, 200, Wisconsin), QB
Darnell Kelly (6-2, 185, Colorado State)
