ATLANTA — When the Warriors of Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High take the field Friday night, the football team won't be running through the cheerleaders' usual banner bearing a Bible verse.

The school district banned the signs a week ago over concerns they were unconstitutional and could provoke a lawsuit, angering many in the deeply religious north Georgia town of Fort Oglethorpe.

"I'm just kind of unnerved about it," said 18-year-old Cassandra Cooksey, a recent graduate who often prayed with her fellow marching band members before football games. "It seems like the majority of people in our community want this and they don't have a problem with it, so I think they should be allowed to have the signs if they want to."

Several hundred people attended a rally this week supporting the signs, and more than 8,000 people have joined an Internet group backing the display of Biblical messages by the school's cheerleaders. Some of the banners have read: "Commit to the Lord, whatever you do, and your plans will succeed" and "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."

Catoosa County schools Superintendent Denia Reese banned the long-standing practice after a parent called her. Reese checked with the school board's attorney, who advised her the signs violated federal law because they were being displayed by the cheerleaders during a school-sponsored event.

The signs are expected at Friday night's game against Ridgeland, but they won't be held by cheerleaders. School officials have designated an area in front of the school where the messages can go on display. They say the area is legally protected because it doesn't give the appearance the school is sponsoring religious speech.

"I regret that the cheerleaders cannot display their signs in the football stadium without violating the First Amendment," Reese said in a news release. "I rely on reading the Bible daily, and I would never deny our students the opportunity to express their religious beliefs."

She was not immediately available Friday for comment.

Bill Nigut, southeast regional director for the Anti-Defamation League human rights organization, said the superintendent was acting appropriately.

"There are legal ways for students to have religious observation in a school context and there are illegal ways, and we believe Reese is correct that the football game crosses a line," Nigut said.

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On the Net:

Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School: http://www.catoosa.k12.ga.us/lfo/