BELLEFONTAINE, Ohio -- Despite the perfect football weather, the stands weren't full at Sunday's makeup game between the Tipp City Red Devils and the Bellefontaine Chieftains.

Tipp City district officials cancelled the original game, scheduled for Friday, last week, along with all extracurricular activities due to widespread illness among students.

Athletic Director Matt Shomper said, "We had a lot of students sick this week, we were running 25 to 30 percent absence rate. Normally we have about a four percent [absence rate]."

Observing the slim crowds on the opposing side, Bellefontaine parent Tino Mifsud said, "It looks like the flu bug hurt the Tipp City crowd. Not as many players as I thought there would be either."

School officials said they cancelled Friday's game not only because they were missing players, but also to prevent the spread of the sickness amongst schools.

But Bellefontaine students came to the game prepared to ward off germs. Many wore surgical type masks as they stood in the stands.

Student Josh Kaufman said they hoped "...that it doesn't come to our school. Missing a bunch of kids is what we don't want to happen here."

For now, Tipp City school officials said they are concentrating on recovery, telling their students to stay at home and rest up before the next game.