In his first two years at Gainesville, head coach Josh Niblett has returned the Red Elephants to the level of play that their fans expect. Prior to Niblett’s arrival, the program went 18-24 in the previous four years.
After a 14-1 mark in his first year, and a runner-up finish in Class 6A, Gainesville finished 12-1 last year, losing in the state quarterfinals.
2024 finds the Red Elephants in 5A, after the state’s realignment. The GHSA placed the school in Region 7, which includes last year’s 7A champ Milton. In addition to Milton, the region includes Chattahoochee, Johns Creek, Lanier, Roswell and Seckinger.
The Red Elephants, Milton and Roswell all finished in the High School Football America 300 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football. Gainesville finished No. 99 in the nation last season and No. 13 in the state.
The Red Elephants’ tough non-region schedule this year opens with a road contest at Marietta, followed by at trip to Alabama to play Moody. Before coming to Gainesville, Niblett won seven Alabama high school football state championships.
The team’s first four games are on the road. After Moody, Gainesville will play two nationally-ranked teams — No. 170 Westlake on August 30 and No. 65 Carrollton on September 13.
Gainesville Red Elephants 2024 Schedule
| 8/16 | At Marietta |
| 8/23 | At Moody (Alabama) |
| 8/30 | At Westlake |
| 9/13 | At Carrollton |
| 9/20 | Lanier |
| 9/27 | At Johns Creek |
| 10/04 | Seckinger |
| 10/11 | Milton |
| 10/18 | At Chattahoochee |
| 10/25 | At Roswell |
