Stephens County — In light of a continuing fuel shortage, a few school field trips for Stephens County have been canceled, but so far athletic events are still scheduled to happen.

“At this point in time, no athletic events for Stephens County are being scaled back because of diesel,” said Beth McDonald, transportation director for the Stephens County School System. “However, the supply of the diesel is being watched and looked at on a weekly basis.”

A football game that was scheduled to happen Tuesday between Stephens County Middle and Franklin County Middle was canceled after Franklin County officials decided the ongoing gasoline shortage would affect the schools parents too much.

“I didn’t want our community of parents to have to decide between driving to the game to support their child and going to work, etc.,” said Lucy Floyd, Franklin County Middle principal.

Floyd said the Franklin County School System is not experiencing a diesel shortage.

In Stephens County, a few field trips have been canceled, including a regularly scheduled field trip for special education students and a fall trip for preschoolers.

“Right now, we have about 3,000 gallons in the ground, of which I can only use about 2,500,” said McDonald. “The local jobber has guaranteed me he has fuel waiting if I need it.”

The middle school football team is scheduled to travel to Danielsville this coming weekend to play Madison County, while the high school varsity team is slated to go to Covington to take on the East Side Eagles. The high school football team travels by charter bus, but the band, cheerleaders and some others travel by school bus.