Students there are following the team and attending games, with some planning to see Saturday's state championship semifinal at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

"They've had a great season. They have some great players who like to work hard and are determined to win," said Brandon Chatman, 14, an eighth-grader.

Chatman especially is interested in the school's football success. A defensive tackle and left guard on the middle school squad, he hopes to play at the high school level.

Principal Robert Thorpe said the school has plans for wishing the No. 7 Red Elephants well in its contest with No. 4 Screven County.

The school's broadcast journalism class is creating a "video postcard" for the team. Students are taping interviews with students and staff offering their support and plans to send the tape, "GHS -- Gotta Have State," to the school.

"I want them to air it over their closed-circuit system or at least air it to the players (before the game)," Thorpe said.

Also, the art class is making banners, which will be strung together and hung over the high school's trophy case. And the GMS cheerleaders are creating a sign with pictures of the middle school team and messages of support from students.

"We have encouraged our students to show support by going to the ballgames and supporting our team," Thorpe said.

The team's success, including an undefeated season, has charged the school atmosphere.

"It's very exciting," Thorpe said. "I was here during the last state championship game (1982). ... I think this team is far more well-rounded defensively and offensively. It's a much stronger team."

Eighth-grader Leania Bulloch agrees. "They have a lot of players who can play both (offense and defense)."

She said that not all her friends are sports fan like she is, "but the ones who are, are pretty excited."

Bulloch, who plays on Gainesville High's junior varsity basketball team, said she plans to attend Saturday's game with her brother, a GHS alumnus of three years.

Gainesville High principal Dave Shumake said the school is offering to take fans to the game, which begins at 3 p.m. Buses will leave at noon. But those interested in transportation need to let the school know by Thursday so the school can arrange for drivers.

General admission tickets are $12 and are available in the front office. The school has an allotment of 2,000 tickets, Shumake said.

The school also is planning a community pep rally at 10 a.m. Saturday in the old gymnasium. And the players will get a send-off in the "Elephant Walk" set for 10:45 a.m. at the school. Players leave at 11 a.m.

Shumake said the team began the season with the goal of reaching the Georgia Dome.