LUSBY, Md. — The Patuxent High School girls flag football team enters the 2026 season with high expectations as Maryland officially recognizes girls flag football as a sanctioned varsity sport for the first time.
After competing in a club season last year, the Panthers are now preparing for their inaugural sanctioned campaign under head coach Lauren Rivers, who believes the program has already established a strong foundation built on teamwork, accountability and support.
“For Calvert County, last year was our club year, and this year is our first year sanctioned as a sport in Maryland,” Rivers told The BayNet. “That’s for all counties across the state.”
Rivers said the transition from a club sport to a sanctioned varsity program marks a significant milestone not only for Patuxent but also for girls’ athletics across Maryland.
She described the current culture within the program as one centered on trust and communication.
“It’s an excellent program. We have a really positive culture,” Rivers said. “The girls look out for one another. They bring concerns to me as their coach, and we problem-solve them together. The goal is to have teamwork while building a culture of a sisterhood within our team.”
Patuxent finished as the No. 4 seed during last season’s club schedule, and Rivers expects her team to take another step forward this fall.
“I have high expectations for the season,” she said. “I expect to do better than last season. I expect to really take it all the way to states and see where we go.”
While wins remain important, Rivers believes the team’s greatest strengths will come from communication, accountability and maintaining a positive attitude on and off the field.
“The more we’re running our drills, the more we’re handling the ball and the more we’re learning how to communicate, all of that practice brings a level of excellence to our gameplay,” Rivers said.
She also emphasized that supporting players extends beyond football.
“My main message is to keep your grades up, stay out of trouble, be a scholar-athlete and communicate with me,” Rivers said. “If you’re struggling in school or having a difficult day, I want to know so I can help. The unity is not just in our athleticism. It’s in being supportive of one another.”
Rivers expects competition throughout Southern Maryland to intensify this season as every program benefits from an additional year of experience and the sport’s new sanctioned status.
“I expect it to be substantially more difficult because we all have had that last year of experience,” she said. “The addition of St. Mary’s County and the sport becoming sanctioned creates a higher level of competitiveness.”
Beyond this season, Rivers believes girls flag football is experiencing unprecedented growth nationwide, creating opportunities that did not exist just a few years ago.
“We’re creating the pipeline for players to go from middle school to high school to college and eventually, for some of our girls, to professional play,” Rivers said. “It’s grown exponentially in the last five years.”
That growth has been evident at Patuxent.
Rivers recalled that interest in the sport quickly exceeded expectations even before the school launched its official program. What began as a county tournament with dozens of interested students evolved into a full club team last season, and participation continues to increase as more students discover the opportunity.
“I had 30 kids within a few days, and by the end of the week I had 50 or 60 interested students,” Rivers said. “The interest is there. It’s growing as the word spreads, and it’s really a good thing.”
She believes one of the biggest reasons for the sport’s rapid expansion is that it allows girls to experience football in a safer environment while opening doors to college scholarships and new athletic opportunities.
“I think it’s a version of football that isn’t as violent,” Rivers said. “Parents are becoming more willing to say yes, especially as colleges continue adding programs and scholarship opportunities.”
As Patuxent prepares for another season, Rivers hopes success will ultimately be measured by more than victories.
“Our goals are team building, skill development and ultimately having a winning season,” she said. “But beyond wins and losses, I want this to be a positive experience that builds friendships, teaches life lessons and creates a healthy community around flag football.”
Rivers encouraged the community to support the Panthers throughout the season by attending home games and helping the sport continue its momentum.
“Come out in big numbers. Be supportive of your team,” Rivers said. “Check out flag football, see what we’re about and be there for our student-athletes.”
Fans can follow the Patuxent High School girls’ flag football team on Instagram @panthersgirlsflagfootball for updates.
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