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Recently, girls flag football has become a major high school sport in the U.S. For Clarksburg High School in Maryland, junior Aysia Jones-Robinson has been looking to revolutionize flag football.

Jones-Robinson, who plays both quarterback on offense and cornerback on defense, led Clarksburg to Maryland's first high school girls flag football state championship in 2024.

"It's a blessing," said Jones-Robinson. "A lot of schools have it now, and not a lot of people make it. For us to be one of those teams that do, it feels amazing."

The Spark Behind the Coyotes’ Dominance

For 2025, the Coyotes finished the regular season as the top girls flag football team in Montgomery County with a perfect 10-0 record. They went on to crush Paint Branch 42-8 in the County Championship.

The 2025 Maryland girls flag football playoffs began in late October, with Clarksburg being the top seed in the 4A-3A West Region. They shut out Oakdale 41-0 in the second round on Nov. 1, with Jones-Robinson throwing three touchdown passes and rushing for a score.

Building Team Chemistry and Bonds

"First, to do it the first time, nobody did it," said Jones-Robinson. "The second time, we're more connected than we were last year. We have a great team chemistry, great team bond. I think we have the potential to go back, and I think it fully."

Last year, Montgomery, the largest public school system in Maryland, launched girls flag football as a pilot program along with Baltimore City and Washington County. This resulted in the Coyotes' program coming into play.

From a New Sport to a Movement

"I saw that it was a new sport at the school," said Jones-Robinson. "I told my friends, 'Let's do it.' We got good at it, and we just never stopped from there."

Clarksburg girls flag football head coach Kyle Landefeld has done a remarkable job with Jones-Robinson and the team in general. He also happens to be a social studies teacher at the school.

"I'll tell you what, you just never know what's going to happen," said Landefeld. "But you know it's always going to be good. As a coach, you just sit there and smile and go, 'This life's good.' So I love it."

"Landy's a great coach," said Jones-Robinson. "We have a great coaching staff, great supported staff. It's just a great program, great energy around everybody. Nobody thinks they're better than somebody else. It's great energy."

The Product of a Family of Athletes

Jones-Robinson was born on July 6th, 2009 at Holy Cross Medical Center in Silver Spring, Md. Her mother Angelica Jones, her father Willie Robinson IV, and her brother Willie Robinson V are also athletes in their own way.

Angelica played basketball and softball, and still plays flag football, while Willie IV played tackle football and basketball. Willie V currently plays tackle football and basketball for Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg.

While she may go to Clarksburg, Jones-Robinson lives in Germantown with her family. "For me to transition to a new school with people I didn't know was very different," she said.

Two-Sport Star With a Bright Future

Jones-Robinson first got into sports when she was just two years old, showing mainly an interest in basketball.

"I was playing basketball since I was two," said Jones-Robinson. "For me to take on another sport, I felt like the challenge would have been difficult. But it wasn't, and i got good at it. It was just up from there."

The Clarksburg junior happens to be a two-sport athlete with flag football and basketball at the school. She has shown her remarkable athleticism in both sports.

"We have a great basketball program," said Jones-Robinson. "We also have a great flag program. For us to transition over, it was a big step, but we got it done."

Inspired by the Greats

Jones-Robinson's sports idols include NFL quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels, NBA legend Kobe Bryant, and WNBA star Angel Reese. However, most people have compared her style of play to that of Jackson.

"I feel like it's a huge comparison," Jones-Robinson stated about the Ravens quarterback. "Especially since he's one of the people I admire the most, and take after his game a lot."

Throughout the 2025 season, High School on SI has conducted weekly Maryland high school girls flag football Player of the Week polls. Jones-Robinson has been nominated multiple times for her incredible performances.

"It feels good," said Jones-Robinson. "Because not a lot of people get it. For me to get it multiple times, it feels really good."

Whether she passes for four or five touchdowns, or over 150 or 200 yards, Jones-Robinson feels proud to be representing the state of Maryland for high school girls flag football.

"It's a big, big blessing," said Jones-Robinson. "It's a big opportunity. I can't thank nobody else but God, and putting me in this predicament. I thank my parents for also putting me in this predicament as well."

A Trailblazer for the Next Generation

As for her athletics future, Jones-Robinson hasn't thought much about it as she is only a junior in high school. For now, basketball seems to be in the cards for her eventual college decision.

"I haven't thought about it yet," said Jones-Robinson. "But I would like to go to a college where i could get a scholarship for basketball and flag as well."

Coach Landefeld feels very confident about Jones-Robinson's future, as she will most likely get to play one more season when she is a senior in 2026.

"She's a gifted athlete," said Landefeld. "She's just got to make some decisions on where she wants to go with this. The sky's the limit."

With the way girls flag football has been growing in high schools across the U.S., it's only a matter of time before more American colleges add it as an official sport.

"It would give more women opportunities to play more sports in college," said Jones-Robinson. "It would boost their confidence, I think. A lot of people would come out and try out for the sport."

Second Chance Wildlife Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the upcoming December 8 opening of its new $5.4 million facility in Clarksburg, which will enhance the organization’s ability to treat and rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife from across Maryland.

Per the news release: “The 30-year-old nonprofit’s new campus includes Maryland’s only large flight conditioning structure for raptors, specialized rehabilitation spaces for native species, and upgraded medical and nursery areas to support its mission of returning healthy animals to the wild.

Second Chance Wildlife Center (SCWC), a beloved and respected 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the medical treatment and rehabilitation of injured, ill, and orphaned wild animals from across Maryland, celebrated the upcoming opening (December 8, 2025) of its new state-of-the-art facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony today attended by local and state government leaders and wildlife officials as well as and longtime supporters.

The new $5.4 million+, custom-designed facility sits on more than eight acres in Clarksburg and represents a transformative leap forward for the 30-year-old organization, which has operated for decades out of a converted farmhouse in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The center’s new campus features Maryland’s only large flight strength and conditioning structure for raptors and other large birds – spanning 100 feet long and 20 feet tall – along with specialized rehabilitation spaces for a wide range of native species.

“This new facility fulfills a dream that has been decades in the making,” said Maureen Smith, President of Second Chance Wildlife Center. “It will allow us to provide the highest quality of species-specific medical care and rehabilitation to thousands of wild animals annually with the goal of releasing healthy animals back to the intended roles in nature.” Second Chance Wildlife Center admits over 2,600 animal patients – representing over 120 different species – each year.

Guests at the event toured the new clinic and outdoor rehabilitation enclosures, viewed the new hydrotherapy and x-ray rooms, and saw the dedicated nursery spaces for baby mammals and songbirds. The event also included remarks from organizational leaders, the presentation of proclamations from the Governor of Maryland, the Maryland State Assembly, and the County Executive of Montgomery County, Maryland, each recognizing Second Chance Wildlife Center for 30 years of service and celebrating this major new accomplishment.

Said Smith, “Moving to Clarksburg, Maryland – 14 miles north of our longtime home in Gaithersburg – allows us to remain in Montgomery County while also bringing us closer to where the need for our services has been growing significantly each year due to increasing development destroying native habitat and increasing human activity.”

The organization plans to officially open for patient admissions on Monday, December 8, 2025, operating daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including holidays. The facility was funded entirely through private donations, reflecting strong community support for wildlife and trust in Second Chance Wildlife Center – which holds the highest ratings possible by independent charity evaluators GuideStar and Charity Navigator.

Founded in 1995 by Christine Montuori, who began rehabilitating wildlife from her home basement, SCWC now admits more than 2,500 wild animals annually and provides expert guidance in response to more than 8,000 wildlife inquiries each year. Operating under permits issued by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the organization’s mission is to provide compassionate medical care, rehabilitation, and release for native wildlife and migratory species in need. Smith also emphasized that with the construction project now nearly complete, the organization will be adding a tremendous focus a new Education and Engagement Program in 2026 and beyond for people of all ages.

“No matter how advanced our new facility is, our mission remains the same,” said Smith. “Every animal deserves a second chance at the life nature intended, and this space ensures we can give them that opportunity safely and effectively – along with our well-known reputation for compassion in all that we do.”

Key partners in building Second Chance Wildlife Center’s new campus include TW Construction, which served as General Contractor for the main clinic building and fire suppression system’s “pump house” and McIntyre Home Improvements of Rockville, MD which served as General Contractor of the unique outdoor pre-release enclosures. Richard Donnally served as Architect. MGAC assisted in construction project management and coordination. Ruppert Landscaping donated all landscaping services, featuring native plants and trees. Fencing was provided by Builder’s Fence Company. Catoctin Valley Engineering Technology provided all wi-fi, IT wiring and security cameras. Maryland Sign Design provided all large signage.”

Two brothers won a combined $500,000 after purchasing ten winning Pick 5 tickets for the Oct. 29 midday drawing at the Sunoco gas station on Clarksburg Road in Clarksburg, marking the top Maryland Lottery prize of the week. In total, Maryland players claimed more than $29.8 million in prizes from Oct. 27 to Nov. 2, with including an additional $100,000 scratch-off winner in Rockville. Full details below courtesy MD Lottery:

“Two brothers claimed $500,000 in prize money from 10 Pick 5 tickets for the midday drawing on Oct. 29 purchased in Clarksburg, while scratch-off players in Denton and Rockville collected $100,000 each, for the top Maryland Lottery wins of the past week.

On all games, players won more than $29.8 million across Maryland in the week Oct. 27 – Nov. 2 including 38 tickets worth $10,000 or more.

Winners are encouraged to sign the backs of tickets and keep winning tickets in a safe location. Tickets for draw games expire 182 days after the drawing date. FAST PLAY tickets expire 182 days after purchase. The last dates to claim for scratch-off tickets are posted on the scratch-offs page at mdlottery.com.

Winners of prizes larger than $25,000 must redeem tickets at the Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center in Baltimore, which is open by appointment only. Prizes up to $25,000 can be claimed at the cashier window of any of the six casinos in Maryland. Prizes up to $5,000 can be claimed at any of more than 400 Expanded Cashing Authority Program (XCAP) locations. All Maryland Lottery retailers are authorized to redeem tickets worth up to and including $600. More information is available on the How to Claim page of the Lottery website.

Here’s the weekly roundup of big winners:

Scratch-off prizes claimed Oct. 27 – Nov. 2:

$100,000 Prizes

$20,000 Prize

$10,000 Prizes

FAST PLAY and draw game tickets sold for drawings Oct. 27 – Nov. 2:

RACETRAX

Clarksburg went back-to-back and won the 4A-3A championship, while Linganore won the 2A-1A title.

For the second year in a row, the Maryland high school girls flag football state championship game took place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Two title games shows the sports growth in Maryland

However, unlike last year with just one state championship game, there were two in 2025. Clarksburg went back-to-back and won the Class 4A-3A state championship, while Linganore (Frederick) won the Class 2A-1A state title.

Both state championship games were played on Saturday, Nov. 8, while four state semifinal games took place one day earlier on Friday, Nov. 7.

Flag football comes to M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens

The NFL's Baltimore Ravens have supported Maryland high school girls flag football since it began as a pilot program in 2023. They hosted the first girls flag football state title game in 2024, which was won by the Coyotes.

Former Ravens and Washington Commanders players were in attendance to support the teams playing. Representing Baltimore were Michael McCrary, Terrance West, and Jermaine Lewis, and representing Washington were Brian Mitchell and Kevin Barnes.

Back in 2023, Frederick County was the first Maryland school system to launch high school girls flag football, with Montgomery County, Baltimore City, and Washington County joining in a year later.

92 teams participated in high school flag football in Maryland in 2025

With girls flag football growing in popularity in the state, 92 high schools participated in the 2025 season. The seven Maryland counties included were Baltimore City, Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George's, and Washington.

The additional counties and schools resulted in separate Class 4A-3A and 2A-1A playoffs and state championships, with two different Maryland state champions for 2025.

Linganore rolls past Calvert in 2A/1A

The first state title game that took place on Saturday was the 2A/1A game between No. 3 Linganore and No. 1 Calvert. A day earlier in the semifinals, the Lancers defeated No. 2 Forest Park, while the Cavaliers beat No. 4 Largo.

The contest wasn't even close as Linganore dominated Calvert 26-6 for their first girls flag football state championship in school history.

"Unreal," said Lancers head coach Brian Sweene. "It's the greatest feeling that I can have."

Linganore quarterback Lexi Petrie had an incredible senior season that ended on a high note. She threw four touchdown passes to lead her school to victory.

"It feels great to win with all these girls," said Petrie. "We're such a good group together. We mesh really well. It's just nice that we've finally been rewarded."

"[Lexi] is just an unbelievable athlete and person," said Sweene.

Petrie has been included in various High School on SI girls flag football Player of the Week polls throughout the 2025 season.

"It's really nice to get that recognition," said Petrie. "It's basically to prove that everything I've been doing has been working out and successful in my favor."

On Saturday evening, Petrie completed two touchdown passes to two different receivers, sophomore Makenna Roberts and fellow senior Rachael Hepner.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Hepner. "I'm definitely going to remember this for the rest of my life."

Late in the game, Hepner scored her second touchdown on a hook-and-ladder play. The Lancers ran that play multiple times throughout the evening and the season.

"We practice it on a regular basis," said Sweene. "We make sure we do it correctly, and make sure there are no problems."

"I think it's an amazing play," said Hepner. "I think it's one of those plays that people don't see coming."

This state title win for Linganore shows that that the Maryland high school girls flag football playoffs could expand to four different champions for each classification as the sport continues to grow in populatiry in the state.

"I think it's an amazing sport continuing to grow," said Petrie. "I think it's just getting bigger and bigger."

"It's going to take over," Sweene stated on the rise of high school girls flag football in Maryland.

Linganore girls flag football wins the 2025 Maryland 2A-1A girls flag football state championship. / Harry Lichtman

Clarksburg shuts out Whitman in 4A/3A final

Next up was the 4A/3A state championship game between Montgomery County schools No. 2 Clarksburg and No. 4 Whitman. In the semifinals, the Coyotes defeated No. 3 Western, while the Vikings beat No. 1 Wise.

The contest featured a lot of defense, especially in the first half. But Clarksburg got the job done with a 19-0 shutout victory to win their second consecutive girls flag football state title.

"These are a special group of girls," said Coyotes head coach Kyle Landefeld. "They're just phenomenal. They earned everything, and I'm very proud."

Clarksburg only led 7-0 in the first half, but they added two more scores in the second to finish the job.

"They knew they could do it," said Landenfeld. "They have the talent. They just locked in, and knew what they could do."

Coyotes junior Aysia Jones-Robinson capped off her MVP-caliber season with a stellar two-way performance. She threw two touchdown passes and ran for one score, and made multiple pass breakups and flag pulls on defense.

"The defense never gave up," said Jones-Robinson. "We played our hardest, and we got the dub."

Clarksburg junior Destiny Turner also stepped up in the championship game with a touchdown catch and an interception both in the second half. It was the first pick the Coyotes had all game.

"It feels nice to have a quarterback like Aysia," said Turner. "She always knows how to throw the pass, and it just feels great."

"My favorite receiver to throw to," Jones-Robinson state about Turner. "I'm going to miss playing with her. She's very reliable, and whenever I need her, she's always there to step it up."

"They were all-season superstars," Landefeld state about Jones-Robinson and Turner. "You've got to love them."

Whitman made multiple plays on offense and defense as they came close to scoring and pulling the upset. But in the end, the Vikings came up short.

Clarksburg girls flag football quarterback Aysia Jones Robinson in action in the 2025 Maryland 4A-3A state championship game. / Harry Lichtman

In High School on SI's feature story on the Clarksburg quarterback/cornerback, Jones-Robinson said that one of her sports idols is Lamar Jackson. On Saturday evening, she got to emulate the Ravens quarterback she's been compared to on his home field.

"It feels great," said Jones-Robinson. "Playing on the Ravens' field, being compared to him, and actually running and taking off."

With two state titles already on her high school resume, it's certainly possible that Jones-Robinson and the Coyotes could three-peat for her senior year in 2026.

HARRY LICHTMAN

Harry Lichtman is a sports reporter based in Montgomery County, MD and the DC area. He also writes for Capitals Outsider and LastWordOnSports, and previously wrote for MLB Report, The Sports Pulse, the Baltimore Jewish Times, the Montgomery County Sentinel, and The Bottom Line newspaper at Frostburg State University. In 2020, Harry won an MDDC Press award for a story about former high school lacrosse head coach Jeff Fritz. Harry has been writing since 2016.

Food & Wine recently named Burnt Hill Farm in Clarksburg, Maryland, one of its “12 Stunning U.S. Vineyards to Visit This Harvest Season,” spotlighting the Montgomery County estate alongside some of the nation’s top wine destinations. Our very own “Mr. MoCo” Alex Tsironis visited last night and shared his account of the experience (video also available below).

“Last night I got to experience ‘A Taste of Burnt Hill,’ described as a ‘luxury tasting experience atop the hill.’ It truly lived up to the description… a stunning evening at one of Food & Wine’s featured vineyards.” Alex arrived early for his 7 pm reservation, just in time to catch the 6:26 sunset over the 117-acre property. “We lucked out with the weather,” he said, sharing that he captured both the farm’s sheep and the glowing sky in perfect light.

Guests are greeted with a glass of Blanc de Blancs before sitting down for a guided tasting that includes three estate reserve wines, stone-milled bread service, and seasonal garden snacks, all presented on handcrafted ceramics made from the farm’s own soil. The experience even comes with a playful touch, “They give you this little toolkit for your food, so I ate my dessert with a little shovel,” Alex said.

Following the tasting, guests can explore Burnt Hill further, enjoying à la carte small plates and a curated wine list highlighting ingredients grown, raised, and foraged on-site. The menu is crafted by Chef-Partner Tae Strain (formerly of Momofuku) in collaboration with Burnt Hill’s sister property, Old Westminster Winery.

Reservations require a $26 per person non-refundable fee, securing a three-hour visit and a welcome glass of Blanc de Blancs. The $85 per person tasting experience is charged on-site and includes a 20% gratuity and tax. The adult-only tasting room accommodates one to six guests.

Founded by siblings Drew Baker, Lisa Hinton, and Ashli Johnson, Burnt Hill Farm is a regenerative polyculture vineyard that blends sustainable agriculture, craftsmanship, and hospitality. Its recognition by Food & Wine cements its place as one of the most beautiful and innovative vineyards in the country, right here in upper Montgomery County.