Ravens Help Launch St. Mary’s County’s First Girls Flag Football Season

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — St. Mary’s County student-athletes from all three public high schools, including rising ninth graders, gathered Thursday at Leonardtown High School for a Baltimore Ravens girls flag football clinic, offering players their first organized introduction to a sport that will debut this fall as an officially sanctioned Maryland high school varsity program.

The clinic brought together coaches, athletes and Baltimore Ravens representatives as Leonardtown High School, Chopticon High School and Great Mills High School prepare to field girls flag football teams during the inaugural statewide season.

The event comes just weeks after Maryland officially sanctioned girls flag football as a varsity sport through the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA). St. Mary’s County Public Schools will join schools across the state this fall as participation in the rapidly growing sport continues to expand nationwide.

The Baltimore Ravens, along with Under Armour, have partnered with school systems throughout Maryland to provide equipment, uniforms, funding and coaching support as new programs launch.

Girls flag football has experienced rapid growth across Maryland since launching as a pilot program in Frederick County in 2023 with just 10 schools. Participation expanded to 53 schools in 2024, 91 schools in 2025, and is projected to reach 132 schools statewide this fall. Which would represent approximately 66% of MPSSAA member schools.

Since the initiative began, the Baltimore Raves have provided more than $1 million in support to participating school systems.

Ravens Help Drive Growth Of Girls Flag Football Across Maryland

Shamar Gray, football outreach coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, said the organization’s support for girls flag football is part of a broader initiative supported by professional football teams across the country and tied to the sport’s continued growth and inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games. He said the Ravens view the program as an investment in local communities and an opportunity to expand football participation among female athletes through a sport with lower equipment requirements and fewer barriers to entry.

“It is part of a league-wide initiative that the NFL is trying to promote alongside the Olympics in 2028,” Gray said. “It’s really just an investment back to our community, and that we really support the girls along with the guys. So, we just want to make it equal for everyone in the community.”

Gray said participation in girls flag football has grown rapidly across Maryland, attracting both experienced athletes and students who have not previously participated in organized sports. He noted that the sport’s growth has exceeded expectations and has created additional varsity opportunities for female student-athletes.

“The participation has actually been absolutely bonkers,” Gray said. “The growth has been astronomical. We’ve seen girls that haven’t played a sport before coming out to play girls’ flag football.”

Gray said this year’s official sanctioning of girls flag Football by the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association was a major milestone for the sport. What began as a pilot program involving 10 schools in Frederick County has expanded to more than 130 participating schools statewide, giving student-athletes the opportunity to compete in an officially recognized championship sport.

“It means a lot now that it’s sanctioned. These girls should feel excited. It’s a real sport,” Gray said. “The girls who played in the past four years were the founders or the pioneers in making it the sanction sport.”

Gray said Maryland has emerged as a leader in girls flag football because of its strong football culture and community support for the game. He said the growth of girls programs is creating opportunities for schools to build successful traditions and championship-caliber teams similar to those found in tackle football.

“Maryland is unique. We already have, I feel like, a good tackle football base here in Maryland,” Gray said. “It’s great that we can team up with the girls’ side and have them start to build their own dynasties at their school.”

Gray said the next phase of growth will focus on creating collegiate opportunities for players and continuing to expand participation. He said success would mean more athletes advancing beyond high school and potentially competing at the highest levels of the sport, including the Olympics.

“We hope to continue to grow the enrollment and the hype of the sport,” Gray said. “Hopefully, we will get the girls into college. The next steps will be trying to get these girls to play at a collegiate level.”

Gray said the Ravens view girls flag football as an opportunity to reach new communities while helping expand the game across Maryland. He hopes this first generation of players will see themselves as pioneers who helped create opportunities for future athletes.

“All 32 teams are working really hard to lift us off the ground,” Gray said. “It’s a growth strategy for us, just because we get to expand our market a little bit in spaces that we haven’t yet.”

Gray encouraged St. Mary’s County students to embrace the opportunity and help shape the future of the sport. He described girls flag football as fast-paced, accessible and welcoming to athletes of varying backgrounds and skill levels.

“Now you have a chance to really make your mark on this sport,” Gray said. “Be excited and have fun, because that’s really all it’s about at the end of the day.”

Tom LaNeve, youth football coach and lead football instructor for the Baltimore Ravens, said the organization’s investment in girls flag football centers on expanding access to the game and creating opportunities for female athletes. He said the Ravens view flag football as a way to ensure all athletes have the opportunity to participate in the sport while benefiting from the teamwork, discipline and personal growth football provides.

“We want to make sure that we provide the opportunity to play this great game to everyone, doesn’t matter whether they’re women or men, boys or girls,” LaNeve said. “It’s about inclusivity and allowing these athletes to have an opportunity to play this great game and all that it brings to them.”

LaNeve said participation across Maryland has exceeded expectations, with many programs seeing strong interest from student-athletes. He said the continued expansion into counties such as St. Mary’s County demonstrates the growing demand for girls flag football throughout the state.

“Statewide, it has been really good, it’s been great,” LaNeve said. “The participation level has just been off the chart. Early registrations, there’s like 75 girls [in St Mary’s County] registered for a team.”

LaNeve credited the Baltimore Ravens organization for maintaining a long-term commitment to supporting girls flag football programs throughout Maryland. He said the organization’s involvement extends beyond public events and includes year-round support for schools, coaches and athletes.

“The Ravens organization as a whole is totally committed behind everything that needs to be done in regards to trying to make sure that this is available to everybody in the state,” LaNeve said. “It’s always there in the peripherals to try and make sure that there’s support going on consistently as needed throughout the year.”

LaNeve said successful outreach would mean every Maryland high school offered girls flag football, with some schools eventually adding junior varsity programs to create even more opportunities for athletes. He also pointed to the 2028 Olympics as a major driver of interest and growth.

“Success would be every high school in the state of Maryland playing and competing in girls’ high school flag,” LaNeve said. “Perhaps a JV program at the larger schools could be available, so that there’s more opportunities for additional athletes who want to participate.”

LaNeve said flag football’s growth extends beyond Maryland and reflects increasing interest in the sport nationally and internationally. He said the sport continues to expand as more athletes and organizations become involved.

“Flag football, right now, is a major focus not only here in the United States, but internationally,” LaNeve said.

Looking at the first sanctioned girls flag football teams in St. Mary’s County, LaNeve said today’s athletes are helping establish a foundation for future generations. He said that growing collegiate opportunities and scholarships could create new pathways for athletes who choose to continue competing beyond high school.

“They’re creating that foundation down here in this county for others to follow,” LaNeve said. “There may be an athlete that we’re working with today that may have an opportunity to advance. There’s actual scholarships, college scholarships, for these athletes to obtain through their athletic abilities.”

LaNeve said many of the lessons learned through football translate directly into other sports and areas of life. He emphasized that success comes from understanding fundamentals, maintaining focus and developing skills through repetition and disciplined practice.

“It’s a mental process of understanding what it is you need to do to be successful,” LaNeve said. “The only way that you can be successful is continuing to be repetitive doing it right. It’s not about doing reps fast, it’s about doing them right.”

LaNeve encouraged students who may be interested in joining a girls flag football team to step outside their comfort zones and experience the sport firsthand. He said participation is the best way for athletes to discover whether the game is right for them.

“You always want to expand your boundaries,” LaNeve said. “The way to find out whether or not it’s something you want to do is to go out and do it.”

Making History On The Field

Kai Ford, a Leonardtown High School flag football athlete, said she attended the clinic because of her love for football and the opportunity to connect with other athletes. Already active in both flag football and basketball, Ford said she is excited about the upcoming season and the chance to meet new teammates.

“I just love football. I feel like we’re already gonna have a great season,” Ford said. “I’m just ready to meet new people and have fun.”

Ford said helping launch a new varsity sport at Leonardtown High School, and St. Mary’s County, is meaningful because she believes girls flag football has a bright future. She hopes to continue playing the sport beyond high school and sees the inaugural season as an opportunity to be part of something larger than herself.

“It means a lot, because flag football is getting big,” Ford said. “I really want to see the future in it. I really want to play in college.”

Ford said she has encouraged her friends, particularly fellow basketball players, to consider joining the team. She believes students who may be unsure about participating should simply give the sport a try and enjoy the experience.

“I encourage all my basketball friends to join,” Ford said. “I really hope they play. Just get out there and have fun.”

Ford said she believes the players participating this year are already making history as members of Maryland’s first sanctioned girls flag football teams. She expects the experience to remain memorable long after high school.

“I feel like we already made history,” Ford said.

She said support from the Baltimore Ravens adds excitement to the experience and demonstrates that professional organizations are invested in the sport’s growth. Ford said having that support behind local athletes is encouraging as the first season approaches.

“It’s great because it’s the Ravens, they’re really good,” Ford said. “I like having that support.”

As one of the athletes preparing for Maryland’s inaugural sanctioned season, Ford said she understands the significance of being among the first generation of girls flag football players competing under the new statewide format.

“It means a lot,” Ford said. “I feel like it’s a very big opportunity.”

Parents Welcome New Opportunities For Female Athletes

Katie Turgeon, a Lexington Park parent whose daughter will attend Great Mills High School this fall, said her daughter was immediately interested in joining girls flag football because she had previously played county flag football and was excited by the opportunity to compete in an all-girls league.

“She actually played flag football in the county previously,” Turgeon said. “So when this opportunity came to play with an all-girls league, she was very enthusiastic and wanted to try it out.”

Turgeon said Maryland’s decision to sanction girls flag football creates valuable opportunities for female athletes while helping continue the sport’s rapid growth. She said the support from the NFL and the sport’s inclusion in the Olympics add additional momentum and legitimacy.

“It’s phenomenal. Giving the girls an opportunity to play a sport and playing it together, it’s wonderful,” Turgeon said. “The support that we have from the NFL teams is pretty wonderful.”

Turgeon said her daughter was excited to learn girls flag football would become a sanctioned high school sport in Maryland. As an incoming freshman, she sees the program as an opportunity to get involved early and help build something new.

“She was ecstatic,” Turgeon said. “She was looking for different activities to participate in. She was very, very excited and had wanted this opportunity for a long time.”

Turgeon said girls flag football provides another avenue for students who may not have found the right athletic fit. She believes expanding opportunities benefits more students and gives girls greater access to a sport traditionally associated with boys.

“It’s another avenue, especially football, it’s such a huge sport,” Turgeon said. “It’s another opportunity.”

Turgeon praised St. Mary’s County Public Schools for embracing the sport early and said it is encouraging to see local schools participating in a movement that has gained statewide, national and even international attention.

“The fact that they’re jumping on board with something so nationwide, and now global with it being on the Olympic scene, it’s pretty wonderful,” Turgeon said.

Turgeon said the most important lessons her daughter can gain through sports are teamwork, communication and commitment. She believes those skills will serve participants long after their playing careers end.

“Hard work, commitment, teamwork,” Turgeon said. “If you’re able to communicate with others, get along and work together, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish.”

James Williams, whose daughter attends Great Mills High School, said she has been looking forward to girls flag football for years. He said she has followed the sport’s development closely and was especially interested in playing quarterback once the opportunity became available.

“She’s been talking about this flag football program for about two years now,” Williams said. “She’s been wanting to be a quarterback this whole time.”

Williams said his daughter has been extremely enthusiastic about the launch of girls flag football and immediately wanted to participate when opportunities became available. He said she was eager to attend the Ravens clinic and could not wait to get involved.

“She was very excited, ecstatic about this opportunity,” Williams said. “When we found out that this was going on today, she made sure I was gonna bring her here.”

Williams said the arrival of girls flag football as a sanctioned high school sport is overdue and provides opportunities that many female athletes have wanted for years. He believes the program will help students who may not have found the right fit in traditional school sports.

“I would say it’s about time,” Williams said. “Football has always been their thing, but they were always told they couldn’t do it. It’s definitely going to fill the void.”

He said his family supports his daughter’s decision to participate because it is something she genuinely wants to pursue. Williams added encouraging students to follow their interests is important, particularly when those interests help them become more active and engaged.

“Whatever she chooses to do, we’re going to support,” Williams said. “It’s important because this is what she wants to do.”

Williams praised St. Mary’s County schools for launching girls flag football programs and said local students deserve the same opportunities available in larger communities. He said he was impressed to learn the Baltimore Ravens were supporting the program and he believes involvement from an NFL organization adds credibility to the sport and reinforces that girls flag football is here to stay.

“Oh wow, that’s really nice to have an NFL sponsor behind you,” Williams said. “It’s nice to know that there will be opportunities later on for scholarships and that it’s here to stay.”

Creating A Legacy From Day One

Tylita “Coach Ty” Butler, head coach of Leonardtown High School’s girls flag football team, said her interest in coaching the sport stems from a lifelong love of football. Although she never played football competitively, she stayed close to the game as a student football manager and later discovered opportunities in flag football.

“I’ve always loved the game of football,” Butler said. “I was football manager down at Great Mills because I wanted to be as close to the sport as I could be. Once I realized what the flag football world was about, I decided to jump in.”

As the program begins its inaugural season, Butler said the focus is on teaching fundamentals and establishing a strong foundation. Because girls flag football is new to St. Mary’s County, she believes success starts with mastering the basics.

“We got to start from the ground up,” Butler said. “We’re starting with the absolute basics.”

Butler said the athletes who will thrive in girls flag football are those willing to learn, listen and continually improve. She believes coachability and a willingness to grow are more important than previous football experience.

“We have coachable athletes, student athletes,” Butler said. “Students who are going to listen first and then look to execute. Students who want to improve and want to get better.”

One of the biggest surprises during early workouts, Butler said, has been the enthusiasm shown by players once they became comfortable with the sport. She said the energy surrounding the new program has been encouraging to watch.

“Once they got started, and once they got comfortable, the energy picked up,” Butler said. “That was really nice to see.”

Looking ahead to the first season, Butler said she wants to see the sport continue growing throughout the county while also setting ambitious goals for Leonardtown. She said she expects the students to compete at the highest level while helping build the future of the game locally.

“Year one, I just want to see the sport continue to grow,” Butler said. “I’m always going to say Leonardtown is going to be at the state championship game.”

Butler believes St. Mary’s County’s early adoption of girls flag football positions local athletes for future success. She said the sport’s Olympic status and growing college opportunities were reasons why participating now could benefit students later.

“Flag football is a growing sport. It’s in the Olympics now,” Butler said. “It’s a beautiful way to transition to college, honestly. I think we’re putting ourselves above the curve.”

She praised the Baltimore Ravens for helping launch and support the sport throughout Maryland. Butler said the organization’s willingness to travel to Southern Maryland, provide instruction and invest in local athletes has been invaluable.

“Seeing the support and them coming all the way down here, it is amazing to see,” Butler said. “I appreciate them. It has truly been a wonderful opportunity.”

Butler said the first players will become the foundation of girls flag football at Leonardtown High School and throughout St. Mary’s County. She hopes they recognize the lasting impact they are creating for future athletes.

“They’re legacy leaders and they’re builders,” Butler said.

Fast Facts: Girls Flag Football In Maryland

Sanctioned: April 2026 by MPSSAA
First Official Season: Fall 2026
First Practice Date: Aug. 12, 2026
State Championships: November 2026 at M&T Bank Stadium
MPSSAA Championship Sport Number: 26

Maryland Participation Rate: Approximately 66% of MPSSAA member schools participating
Olympics: Girls flag football will debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles

---