HOUSTON -- Marching bands, cheerleaders, drill team -- they're all part of the experience at high school football games. But high gas prices and budget cuts could cut into the traditional halftime shows.

District budget cuts nearly sidelined Kingwood High’s Military Marching Band.

That news turned band practice into a battle cry.

“Moral support for the football team and it really gives them that boost of confidence having us backing them up,” band member Natalie Galegar said.

The cuts included the elimination of travel to away games for groups like the marching band, cheerleaders and drill teams.

“In all sincereity, it’s not a good thing," Humble ISD Superintendant Dr. Guy Sconzo admitted. "It’s not what we want to do at all. But we are at a time where there are no good answers.”

But the booster clubs did come up with an answer at two Kingwood High and another Humble ISD high school. Parents stepped up and agreed to pick up the tab for the travel cost.

“We are contributing toward travel cost. This will be shared with boosters, the drill team’s booster, their booster club as well," said Kingwood High band booster Jim Galegar.

”Otherwise, the kids would be sitting at home when they should be marching on the field," said band parent Lisa Cunningham.

Sconzo explained that the budget cuts stem from a complex state funding formula that doesn’t account for inflation.

School districts are using a 2005 income formula to pay 2008 prices.

“The only way to fix this long term is with a state solution," Sconzo said.

Meantime, the parents will have to come up with $6,000 for four away games -- and that only covers the band.

The money will pay the bus drivers and buy the gas to get to the games.