Girls Varsity Flag Football Kicks Off Tonight In Southern Maryland At Lackey And Westlake

Photo Credit: Southern Maryland Youth Flag Football League

INDIAN HEAD, Md. — History is being made today as Southern Maryland officially kicks off its first season of girls varsity flag football, with opening ceremonies and games hosted at both Henry E. Lackey High School and Westlake High School.

The launch marks the beginning of Maryland’s third statewide season of girls varsity flag football and introduces the new Southern Maryland Conference programs in Charles and Calvert counties.

The kickoff ceremonies will feature Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders, legends, and the team’s mascot, Poe, celebrating with fans and players. Each team will receive a commemorative game ball delivered by honorary captains and Ravens legends Todd Heap and Terrance West.

Games begin at 5 p.m. at both sites, followed by a ceremony recognizing all participating teams immediately after the first matchup.

Opening Night Schedule

Henry E. Lackey High School (Indian Head)
5 p.m. — McDonough vs. St. Charles
6 p.m. — Huntingtown vs. La Plata
7 p.m. — Northern vs. Lackey

Westlake High School (Waldorf)
5 p.m. — North Point vs. Patuxent
6 p.m. — Thomas Stone vs. Westlake

Calvert High School will also be recognized during the festivities.

Special Guests and Ceremonies

The evening will feature appearances at Lackey High School by Baltimore Ravens legends Todd Heap and Terrance West, along with Ravens cheerleaders and the team’s mascot, Poe. All teams will be recognized in ceremonies following the first games, with commemorative game balls delivered by Heap and West.

Season Format and Growth

The Southern Maryland season will run as a 10-game schedule, followed by a championship and postseason playoff. The league is open to students in grades 9-12 who meet Charles County Public Schools eligibility requirements.

This expansion comes as part of a statewide surge in participation. In 2025, 92 schools across Maryland are competing in girls varsity flag football, supported by funding from the Baltimore Ravens, Under Armour, and the Washington Commanders. Programs in Calvert and Charles counties joined this fall, while Prince George’s County added 26 schools this year. The season will culminate with the Maryland Girls Flag Championship at M&T Bank Stadium in November 2025.

Tickets and Admission

Admission for Opening Day is $6. Charles County Public Schools are a cashless system, so tickets must be purchased in advance through GoFan.

Concessions will be available at both sites. Southern Maryland Youth Flag Football League (SMYFFL) players wearing NFL Flag jerseys receive free admission.

Historic First Scrimmage

Ahead of Opening Day, McDonough High School hosted the region’s first-ever girls varsity flag football scrimmage on Aug. 27, 2025. Teams from McDonough, Lackey, St. Charles, and Thomas Stone high schools took the field, marking the first official competition and setting the tone for a groundbreaking season.

Statewide Growth in 2025

For 2025, 92 schools across Maryland are now participating in girls flag football programs funded by the Ravens and Commanders. With 92 schools engaged this fall, the sport is rapidly advancing toward the ultimate goal of becoming a state-sanctioned sport, allowing female student-athletes in every Maryland county to receive the same opportunities well into the future.

Source: Baltimore Ravens

Kevin Hook – Calvert County Public Schools Director of Athletics
“After watching the success of girls flag football in other counties around the state, we are excited to start the sport in Southern Maryland alongside our counterparts in Charles County. We are grateful to the Baltimore Ravens and Under Armour for their partnership to help us launch this new opportunity for young ladies in our county, and we look forward to the growth of this sport throughout our entire state. This program will give us another path to help shape the lives of our high school students through their involvement in our athletics program.”

Rich Pauole – Charles County Public Schools Director of Athletics
“This exciting new opportunity is made possible through the generous support and partnership of the Baltimore Ravens and Under Armour, who continue to be instrumental in expanding athletic programs for girls across the region. By joining the growing movement across Maryland, CCPS is aligning with several other counties in a unified effort to achieve full sanctioning of girls flag football by the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA). This initiative reflects our commitment to providing inclusive and diverse athletic opportunities for all students. We look forward to the positive impact this program will have on our student-athletes and our school communities.”

Today’s events will be held at:
Henry E. Lackey High School, 3000 Chicamuxen Road, Indian Head, MD 20640
Westlake High School, 3300 Middletown Road, Waldorf, MD 20603

Patuxent High School Flag Football Schedule