Middle school football in Stanly County will not be competing this spring along with other team sports, according to a recent decision by Stanly County Schools (SCS).

According to Beverly Pennington, SCS’s athletic director, low participation numbers “did not support moving forward with football.”

The decision was made early enough, she said, so football athletes could still run cross-country.

Pennington said three sports will open at the middle schools this week: cross-country, girls’ volleyball and cheerleading.

Spring sports for the middle schools have been moved back to start after spring break, which runs April 2-11 this year.