As a little kid, during recess I could most likely be found rounding the bases playing kickball or running the ball in a little game of touch football.

While the rest of the girls in my class sat on the swings or played on the monkey bars, I’d be on the other end of the playground competing with the boys.

On Saturday, I got to relive the days of my childhood as a couple of my friends came together for a game of flag football. Flags and all, we gathered on the still-dewy field of a Savage middle school and took advantage of the nice weather and played some ball.

As one of two girls playing, I was immediately intimidated by the guys we were playing with. I only knew a couple of them previous to the game, but I was looking forward to a little friendly competition. (Not to mention some form of exercise other than the treadmill I’ve been bored with lately.)We split into two teams and, donning the yellow flags, I felt confident in my team of relatively tall and bearded boys.

Our team started off with the ball, and quickly began our passing plays, attempting to near the first-down marker. After a few sloppy plays and embarrassing throws, our quarterback connected for a first down. Somehow we eventually found ourselves in the end zone and scored. It was great, miraculous really.

As the green team huddled with the ball to plan their play, our team decided on man-to-man defense and I nervously prepared to keep an eye on the green team’s girl. I thought to myself that she would probably be of nearly-equal playing ability to me, and realized quite quickly that I was very wrong.

This girl was tiny and quick and played as though she had a lot of flag football experience, even roller derby maybe. With the speed of a sprinter and the agility of a pro, she caught the ball and began to zig and zag, protecting the ball and her flags as I attempted to predict her next zig with no success. She even stiff-armed me in a little defense herself and next thing I knew, I was flat on the ground with a failed attempt at a diving flag grasp.

Thankfully, one of my teammates stopped her a few yards down the field, but as I stood up with dirty palms I realized I had my work cut out for me with this girl. Actually, I would have preferred to be assigned to one of the larger (and presumably slower) guys on the green team.

One thing I knew for sure: We needed better play formations on our own offense. Well, at least some sort of offensive organization.The green team scored a touchdown and we were tied at one apiece.

Our team was back with the ball and we huddled with intentions of planning a spectacular play formation. OK, so maybe we were simply attempting to plan where we would all set up to receive, but I would like to think we were executing Brett Favre-like plays. Far fetched, I know.

As we huddled, one of the guys started spouting off play ideas and code names that sounded practically French to me. What ever happened to “Blue 42” and “hut hut” like my elementary playground days? I was assigned to an inside starting position and told to cross after a 10-yard run along the right sideline in order to make the wedge.

Whew! What? English please?

I can run, and I can catch (kind of) but I have no idea what cross, post, wedge and wing right even means. I just need to be told where to stand before the “snap,” and where the quarterback prefers I end up in hopes of catching a pass.

OK now I probably just sound like a typical girl who doesn’t know anything about football, but in all honesty I enjoy watching football and I like playing football, but this was my first time attempting actual play formations. And once I actually knew what I was expected to do, I even caught the ball a few times. Not to mention I had a 20 yard run stopped just two yards short of our end zone. I was proud of that play, the highlight of the game for me. The not so great part of that game was running into my own teammate (who I guarantee weighed at least 250 pounds) in a collision as we both attempted to steal the flags of our opponent flying down the field. I caught my breath, determined to look tough, and continued on with defense.

After two hours of intense and non-stop flag football, I walked off the field with muddy knees, dirt in my fingernails, and my ponytail in a disarray. Unfortunately, my team also walked away with the loss. However, I avoided all catastrophic situations and hopefully proved to the boys that girls can play football, too.

Getting in my car after the game the only thing I could think about was how much fun I had enjoying the beautiful weather and a little pigskin with some new friends. Minus the fact that I could barely move Sunday, and every muscle in my body aches as though I did a thousand squats, I can say the dirt and discomfort was well worth the fun and experience.

I was even invited back for next Saturday’s flag football game. I guess I should probably polish up on my play calling and run formations so that I can avoid collisions and embarrassment at all costs. Maybe even a little team victory is in store for me.

It’s amazing how history repeats itself.

Now in my third year with the Daily Globe, this season has reminded me of the first fall I spent as a sports reporter. What was really special for me that fall was the ability to watch the Adrian and Luverne football teams.

Today, I will again have an opportunity to watch the Dragons and the Cardinals in the state playoffs. Just like my first year in the area, the two teams’ paths have crossed. Two years ago, Adrian drew Mankato Loyola in the first round of the state playoffs and with a 25-14 victory was headed to the Metrodome. Meanwhile, a night later, Luverne was facing Triton, the team that had defeated the Cardinals 70-21 a year before in the state finals.

Behind a Sebastian Sousa Soares field goal, Luverne advanced as the two Section 3 schools continued their march. Adrian drew Cook County in the state semifinals, and with a 21-0 victory, was heading to the finals.

Later that day, Luverne matched their southwestern Minnesota counterpart, defeating Pierz in overtime. In that game, Zach Olson intercepted a pass to secure the Cardinals trip back to the state finals.

In Prep Bowl tradition, games are one right after another during the day. Adrian went first. Goodhue was too good on that day, winning, 28-7. Then, it was Luverne’s turn. In a defensive battle, Caledonia edged the Cardinals, 14-7.

But what was amazing was the support and respect from both sides. These are two teams who never play. Adrian, in Class A, and Luverne, in Class AA, are separated by 15 miles. But coaches, fans and players have respect for the other program.

“I think (Todd) Oye does a good job over there and has an excellent coaching staff,” Adrian head coach Randy Strand said. “He has kids that like playing football. They had a super group of seniors last year that played a lot of football over their careers for them. I think that has kind of rubbed off on what team he has now. They are used to being where they are and they can get things done.”

Added Oye: “Adrian has quite a team, they’ve done very well. I think it was in 2007 the last time they made it, and we know them well. We’ve shared practice dome facilities with them and obviously, our kids know each other.”

But what makes it special for both communities is the ability to root for the other squad. During the state championship game two years ago, Adrian fans stayed to cheer for the Cardinals. Luverne fans came early to cheer for the Dragons. It was amazing to see how well blue and red went together.

Even last Friday at the section finals at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, I saw Luverne fans come early to watch and cheer for Adrian.

Today, fans will have that same opportunity. With the Dragons’ kickoff slated for 10:30 a.m. and the Cardinals scheduled to go at 1 p.m., fans from both schools could stay and watch some good football.

“I’m sure fans will head out early knowing that we’re up there playing,” Strand said. “I know a couple years ago when we were in the dome together, we hung around and watched them play. I think the support is good that way, too.” I

f both teams continue to win, they will again play on the same day. Adrian would play at 10:15 a.m. Friday, while Luverne would play at 5:45 p.m. in the Dome.

If both teams win again, Adrian and Luverne will once again cross paths. The Class A final is slated for Nov. 27 at 1 p.m. The Class AA final will follow.

And if history is any indication, both communities will have a chance to cheer for each other one more time.

This one is for all the cross county addicts out there — you know who you are.

I love every sport, which sort of comes with the territory when you’re a sports reporter.

But cross country will forever be one of the most misunderstood sports of all time, at least for all of those who have never tried it.

It’s like “Guitar Hero”. You just don’t understand what the big deal is, until you try it for yourself. Once you start, though, you’re hooked.

There’s more to it than just pressing orange, blue, yellow, green and red, right?

Well, there’s more to cross country than just putting one foot in front of the other … it’s putting one foot in front of the other repeatedly for a really, really long time!

And only a cross county parent knows what its like to drive two hours so they can see their kid run by twice — if they’re lucky!

Since all of the high school runners in Minnesota are either done for the season or toning it down because it’s pre-state week, maybe they’ll have some extra time to appreciate this.

I know I did, when I ran (no pun intended) across this list on the Internet: You know you run cross country when…

You run farther each week than your bus drives to and from the meet.

You’re proud when a team scores four times more points than you.

You can really tell a quality port-a-john when you see one.

Your coach won’t give you a ride home.

You can cover 18 holes at the local country club without any clubs.

The worse you do, the more playing time you get.

You own spandex in more than one color.

You actually like watching “Chariots of Fire”.

You wore spikes during the P.E. mile run.

Your calves are bigger than your biceps.

That’s only a few of them. Feel free to add to the list.

Good luck to the Jackson County Central boys, the Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin girls, both Adrian teams, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton’s Jeremy Hoflock, Luverne’s Anna Tofteland and Worthington’s Mubarik Musa and O.J. Ojullu this weekend at the Minnesota state cross country meet!