The Gainesville Red Elephants rolled past Rome 37-6 in the GHSA Class 5A semifinals Thursday, punching their ticket to the state championship.
Gainesville improved to 12-2 with a dominant performance on both sides of the ball. Rome finished the season 11-3.
After junior running back Nigel Newkirk exited on the second play with an apparent non-contact injury, sophomore Dwight Lewis took over. He rushed for three touchdowns and powered the Red Elephants’ offense. Quarterback Kharim Hughley added one passing touchdown and one rushing score.
The Gainesville defense overwhelmed Rome all night. The Wolves failed to score a touchdown.
The win capped a turbulent month for Gainesville. A Hall County judge overturned the suspension of 34 players following a sideline brawl against Brunswick on November 21. The Red Elephants then advanced by beating Langston Hughes 40-32 in the quarterfinals.
The GHSA delayed the Class 5A playoffs. The state championship is now set for December 17 at 7:30 p.m. Gainesville will face Thomas County Central after the Yellow Jackets defeated Roswell, 49-28, Thursday.
GPB News and High School on SI contributed to this report
