With the Southland baseball team headed for state later this week, it marks the fifth time this year that I will be making a cross country trip to cover a state tournament.

Going to state tourneys can be hectic — after getting a media pass, finding directions, and clearing out most of my previously planned agenda for a two or three day period, then I can focus on the games themselves.

But I wouldn’t have it any other way. If I can’t get pumped up about covering a state tournament, I don’t belong in this business, and even though I’ve never been to Jordan, Minn. — where the Class ‘A’ baseball tournament is held — I’m sure I’ll find it a nice place to watch baseball.

Of all the teams we cover throughout the year at the Herald, it’s always fun to see someone catch fire in the postseason and make a memorable run. The crowds get bigger as the team advances further and the energy beaming from the team and it’s coaches gets stronger.

In high school sports, making it to state is as much about the community as it is the team itself. I can already imagine the towns of Adams and Rose Creek shutting down on Thursday and Friday as they head north to watch their Rebels play for one last time this year.

And with the prep sports season coming to a close, it’ll be the last high school event in awhile.

So go ahead and paint your face blue and make a trip to Jordan to watch the Rebels one last time.