Howard County officials joined the to announce girls flag football is kicking off at all Howard County Public School Systems (HCPSS) high schools this fall.
The league will be run by Howard County Recreation and Parks this fall before the school system picks it up in fall 2026.
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“Through flag football, we are not only offering female athletes the opportunity to engage in a sport that emphasizes skill development over sheer physical strength, but we are also creating a supportive environment focused on teamwork, leadership, encouragement, and confidence,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said via a press release. “As a girl dad, I could not be prouder of what the future holds for our scholar-athletes.”
Last year, Ball’s administration met with the Ravens to discuss bringing flag football to the county. Then, meetings started between the school system, the county and the Ravens to learn how HCPSS could apply the sport into its athletic offerings.
“It is wonderful to be part of an initiative to provide an inclusive way for female students to play football,” HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes said via a press release. “The Howard County Public School System is thrilled about the prospect of students not currently playing, or who have never played fall sports to become more involved in athletics.”
To prepare for the inaugural season, the Baltimore Ravens will hold free clinics for the student-athletes and coaches starting in October. In addition, the county’s Recreation and Parks system will continue supporting this effort through new girls flag football programs beginning this spring.
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Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with more than 20 million participants across 100 countries, with girls leading the charge, according to the county.
Currently, 17 states have officially sanctioned girls flag football as a varsity sport with the support of NFL teams.
In 2023, the Ravens launched its high school girls flag football program in Frederick County with 10 teams. Now, Baltimore has expanded the program to 92 schools across seven counties in Maryland.
The Ravens are aiming to have statewide sanctioning play by fall 2026.
“As programs continue to expand across the state, Howard County’s addition — with tremendous support from County Executive Calvin Ball — is another milestone in creating more opportunities for young women to play, grow and shine on the field,” Baltimore Ravens President Sashi Brown said. “Together, we’re building a future where every girl who wants to play has the chance to suit up and be part of the game in Maryland. And we know young women who participate in athletics today become leaders of tomorrow.”
The final games for the 2025 Maryland High School Girls Flag Football Tournament, for currently participating counties, are happening on November 7 & 8 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.