## Gainesville and Langston Hughes Set to Clash in Highly Anticipated Football Matchup
This Friday night, Gainesville High School and Langston Hughes High School will face off in a highly anticipated football game, broadcast live by Score Atlanta. The matchup comes after a season marked by strong individual performances and, for Gainesville, a recent legal battle regarding player suspensions following a large on-field brawl.
Gainesville’s defense has been spearheaded by linebacker Jalen Griffin,the team’s leading tackler with 78 total tackles. Defensive lineman Cayden Matthews has been a disruptive force, leading the team with 19 tackles for loss. Both Griffin and Matthews have committed to play for the University of Alabama as part of the Crimson Tide’s 2026 recruiting class. Linebacker Darryn Williams adds further strength to the gainesville defense, boasting five interceptions, 77 total tackles, and nine tackles for loss.
On the offensive side for Langston Hughes, quarterback Darnell Kelly, a transfer from Peachtree Ridge, has been a key player. He has completed 69% of his passes for 1,972 yards and 25 touchdowns, while also contributing 508 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Kelly will continue his football career at Colorado State next season.
The Hughes backfield features a potent duo in Carsyn Baker and Qwantavius Wiggins. Baker, a four-star recruit, recently decommitted from the University of Florida.Wiggins recently flipped his commitment from FIU to Wisconsin. Together, they have combined for 1,663 yards and 25 touchdowns, with Wiggins averaging over 112 rushing yards per game and over 22 yards per reception.
Senior receiver Xavier Tiller, committed to Florida state, has proven to be a significant threat in the passing game for Hughes, recording 17 receptions for 312 yards and nine touchdowns.
Defensively, Langston Hughes is led by linebacker Russell Simpson with 72 total tackles and seven tackles for loss. Defensive tackles Anthony Jones and Kijon Brown-Braxton have combined for an notable 28.5 tackles for loss this season.
Coverage of the game begins at 7:00 p.m. with the *Georgia High School Countdown to Kickoff* on Atlanta News First (Channel 46) and the Peachtree Sports Network (cable and YouTube TV), and will be streamed live on the Atlanta News First website/app. Hosts Rusty Mansell, Brandon Adams, and Kaylee Mansell will preview the game and offer their predictions, alongside interviews with both head coaches.
Following the game, the *Georgia High School Postgame Show* will air live from the Score Atlanta Studio, featuring Craig Sager II, Landon Knight, and Hayden Gilbert. The show will run untill 11:30 p.m., providing a full game breakdown, analysis, and call-in segments.The pre and post-game shows will also be available on the NFHS Network.
