Lainey Shea of the Panthers goes for a big run in as a junior high age Bulldogs(blue) take on the Saints(black) in a game at Van Valkenburg Fields in Edina, Minn., on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. Flag football is a growing sport for girls across the country but is yet to be sanctioned by MSHSL. ] RICHARD TSONG-TAATARII • richard.tsong-taatarii @startribune.com

Last spring, four schools participated in a pilot girls flag football program sponsored by the Vikings.

This year, they brought friends.

In late April, 51 high schools will begin competing in Minnesota’s widespread rollout of girls flag football. Games will be played on Sunday, allowing athletes to double-dip and play flag football alongside spring sports such as softball, lacrosse, golf or track.

Organized and sponsored by the Vikings, the spring league is not sanctioned by the Minnesota State High School League but is a step toward formalizing the sport at the high school level.

For more on the flag football league, click here to read this story on startribune.com.