Senior Wide Receiver Avery Graham running the ball against Magruder.

by Maya Dorsam ’27

This year, MCPS added flag football to its list of sports offered to female athletes in the county. After a long wait, girls couldn’t be more excited to participate in the sport that is offered to their male counterparts, with a few differences in rules and strategy.

Increasing interest across the nation led MCPS, Washington, and Baltimore Counties in Maryland to take after Fredrick County’s debut of the sport last season which ended successfully, with 280 girls participating in the league. Twenty-eight states offer forms of flag football for girls and it’s even set to become an Olympic sport at the 2028 games, which come to Los Angeles in just a few summers.

The opportunity brought to many Maryland schools is made possible by the sponsorship of the Baltimore Ravens and Under Armour, which will provide financial grants towards the costs of uniforms, coaching salaries, and team transportation. Their hope is to produce leaders, grow the love of the sport, and grant girls the opportunity to play football just as boys are.

The flag football games are 7 on 7 with two halves compared to four quarters. The offense will progress down the field as it achieves first downs, given 4 attempts. Rather than tackling the player in possession of the ball to stop the play, their flag must be pulled.

The Sherwood team is mostly composed of upperclassmen, according to social studies teacher Caitlin Thompson, who stepped up to coach the girls this year alongside Rob Hiller, another social studies teacher at the school.

“The fall is the beginning of the school year, and so often of new experiences, new social settings, and new challenges,” said Thompson about why flag football is a good addition to MCPS sports, “This game means it’s also a time of opportunities for female athletes to be part of something.”

Thompson expressed that her motivation for coaching the team was the exciting new challenge it presented. She admits that she is new to the game, but Hiller, her coaching partner, contributes to the team greatly by bringing critical football experience. The girls are learning and progressing quickly as they practice skills and big-picture schemes each day.

Junior Maryam Habib said that Thompson expects full effort and gives helpful constructive criticism to better the girls. The sport is no joke; playing time won’t be given out freely.
“This is a varsity sport,” said Thompson. “Athletes earn their playing time with skill, effort, and dedication.”