GAINESVILLE, Texas (KXII) - The Gainesville Independent School District will forfeit Friday's varsity football game against Van Alstyne because it does not have enough available players, the district announced Wednesday.

In a social media post, the district said a significant number of injuries left the team without enough healthy players to compete safely."After careful consideration, district, campus, and athletic leadership determined that forfeiting this week's contest is the only responsible decision," Superintendent Dr. DesMontes Stewart said in a letter to parents.

"The health and safety of our student-athletes must remain our highest priority."The freshman game at Van Alstyne will be played Thursday at 5 p.m. as scheduled, Stewart said.