Local HS football team returns to field after staging protest over rough practice conditions

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Christian Hunnicutt will remain Grayson's head coach following a team boycott that took place on Wednesday, sources confirmed to Score Atlanta and the AJC's Adam Krohn.

Nearly all of Grayson’s players protested Hunnicutt’s practice conditions, which involved full-force hitting in shorts, a source said.

Players walked out of practice on Wednesday, which led to a meeting between Hunnicutt and the players.

During the meeting, Hunnicutt apologized for the rough practice conditions and promised lighter practices moving forward.

Channel 2's Richard Elliot spoke with one parent, who said the coach handled the situation the best he could.

"He's a tough coach, but he's a fair coach," parent Lorriane Lindsey said.

Lindsey told Channel 2 most of the players never showed up for practice Wednesday because they were concerned about its intensity.

Her son did not participate in the walkout but confirmed the coach met with the entire team.

“He personally just opened up, talked from his heart, saying there were going to be some positive charge. That was the gist of that conversation," Lindsey said.

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Channel 2 reached out to Hunnicutt through the school district for comment, but neither he nor Gwinnett County Schools had one.

WHO IS GRAYSON?

Grayson is ranked No. 1 in Class AAAAAAA, the state's highest classification by the AJC. They are also No. 2 in the Southeast of the USA Today High School Sports Super 25 regional rankings.

The Rams finished 10-2 last season, Hunnicutt’s first with Grayson.

The Rams won the 2016 AAAAAAA state title the year before in Jeff Herron's lone season as coach. 
The Rams are set to face Tucker at home on Aug. 25.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Adam Krohn and Score Atlanta/AJC reporter Seth Ellerbee contributed to this story.

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