A young lady has found her way within the framework of the Red Rock Youth Football program, which is a sight to see even for the most dedicated football enthusiast.

There are stories littered all over the country of girls playing football, but at barely over 5-feet tall and tipping the scales at mind your own business, 13-year-old Michaela Cunningham has found a home.

Born in Las Vegas, Cunningham’s family moved to Sedona in 2009. She enrolled in Big Park Community School where she plays softball and is a cheerleader, but if you ask her, football is by far her favorite.

“Football is most definitely my favorite sport,” Cunningham said shortly before practice Wednesday, Sept. 21. “When we first moved here we dropped off my brothers at football practice and coach Ryan Smith talked me into coming out for the team. I came to practice the next day.”

Entering her third year playing with the Red Rock Youth Football program, Cunningham is currently on the Sedona Majors team, playing tight end and cornerback.

Cunningham is the only girl of four children in the family, with Jamison, 18, Donovan, 15, and Branaghan, 11, keeping her on her toes when it comes to silent roughhousing attacks.

“I’ve grown up with three brothers and we all like to roughhouse, so I’m tough,” Michaela Cunningham said.

When asked what it’s like to play football at her age with all boys, Cunningham said it was a bit awkward, but she loves every minute of it.

“I have fun wrapping someone up and throwing them down on the ground. It’s an adrenaline rush, a natural high,” Cunningham said.

In the first game of the season for Sedona, the team hosted the Cottonwood Packers on Aug. 27 and Cunningham had eight solo tackles and four assists on defense.

She hasn’t played much since that game, dislocating her hip in week two of the season, but should be OK to play the last three games of the season.

When asked what her parents thought about her playing tackle football with the big boys, Cunningham said she received nothing but support.

“My dad is very proud of me. He’s glad I stuck it out this far. My mom says it’s my decision and that she’ll support me in whatever I do,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham likes to participate in sports, but she’s not much for watching them on television. In her spare time, she likes to hang out with friends and walk around town looking for things to do.

When asked what she likes best about playing with her Sedona team, and what the biggest difference is between playing with a boys team or a girls team, Cunningham gave an interesting answer.

“It’s drama-free. Guys don’t have drama like girls. You can just go out there and play,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham said she isn’t sure what she’ll do about playing football come freshman year at Sedona Red Rock High School in 2012-2013, but she did say she will think about it for sure.

Look out, boys.