MIDVALE — Soaring gas prices and time out of school have the state's superintendents considering cutting the number of games student-athletes play.

The Utah School Superintendents Association has proposed reducing 5A and 4A contests by 2.86 percent, 3A games by 13.81 percent and 1A and 2A contests by 17.14 percent. The proposal was discussed in the Executive Committee meeting of the Utah High School Activities Association on Wednesday.

The reductions in 4A and 5A would come from reducing baseball by two games, wrestling by two credits and softball by two games. In 3A, cross country, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball, wrestling and speech all lost contests.

In 1A and 2A, only drill team, football and music would remain the same.

Football games weren't reduced in any of the classifications. All teams are allowed nine football games each season.

Highland principal Paul Schulte worried about moving too quickly on the complex situations.

"I'm really concerned about a quick fix," he said. "I'm concerned about just putting Band-Aids on things. We need to go slowly and do a very thorough investigation so we get a really good decision."

A number of principals were opposed to the idea of the UHSAA reducing the number of contests, saying instead that should be up to individual districts.

"Why can't the superintendent of the district dictate to the school how many games they can play?" said George Bruce, Region 18's representative. "We do things to save money. ... I don't think my kids should be subject to 36 less contests when 4A and 5A only lose six. We're no different than they are. My kids want to play."

Some support the reductions because so much is asked of modern prep athletes.

"I think there are other things to consider besides just travel," said Dean Fowles. "These kids don't have a night to themselves. They don't have a day during the summer."

Others wondered what other options were being discussed to save money and eliminate time out of classes.

"Is there any other proposal out there other than cutting games?" said Dave McKee, Region 4's representative. "A lot of other things could be done to save money. ... Ultimately, I think we hurt kids that way."

A survey of the state's 15 superintendents revealed that 13 of them support the reductions, while two are opposed.

Also, 1A and 2A superintendents voted to support the cuts, regardless of what the other classifications do, but 3A superintendents were only supportive of the recommendations if 4A and 5A also made reductions.