Playbooks have been handed out.

At practices, plays are run over and over with routes being learned, passes thrown and rushes to the quarterback.

The high school football season is once again upon us. But this is different — something new. In Baltimore City, the girls are priming for the inaugural high school flag football season.

With support from the Ravens and Under Armour, Baltimore City joins Montgomery and Washington counties as public school systems to add high school girls flag football programs this fall. Last year, Frederick County enjoyed a successful pilot season that helped open the door for more to follow.

In Baltimore City, 12 schools — ACCE, Carver, Digital Harbor, Douglass, Dunbar, Edmondson, Forest Park, Green Street Academy, Mervo, Patterson, Reginald F. Lewis and Western — will participate in the first season.

“Through the generous grant funding from the Baltimore Ravens and the provision of uniforms by Under Armour, we are empowering girls in our community to excel in flag football,” Tiffany Byrd, BCPS Director of Athletics, said in a statement announcing the initiative. “This support not only equips our student-athletes with the necessary resources, but also signifies a commitment to gender equality in sports, fostering teamwork, leadership and love for the game.”

Rocio Pepen-Castillo, a senior at Patterson who will play quarterback, grew up playing football in the backyard with family and spends hours watching it on TV. Now, it’s her turn — and she’s thrilled.

“I love it, honestly. I’ve been wanting this sport to be in high school. I just love the experience and all the cool stuff going on,” she said. “I love the plays, how we’re all learning as a team and just collaborating together to make good practices. I just need a few more practices, get in a few more throws and I’ll be ready for the season to start.”

The eight-game season gets underway today with the Kick-off Classic games at Dunbar and Western. Seven players per team will take the field, which will be 40 yards wide and consist of four 20-yard zones with 10-yard end zones at each end. Games will be 40 minutes long, split into two 20-minute halves.

Leading into the inaugural season, the Ravens conducted clinics for players and coaches.

With the help of NFL partnerships, girls flag football has seen steady growth throughout the country in recent years. In Maryland, 51 schools will participate this fall with the ultimate goal of becoming a state-sanctioned sport that will be offered in every county in the future. Last year, the International Olympic Committee added flag football, including a women’s division, to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

In Baltimore, high school coaches have seen players eager to learn and enthusiastic for the new opportunity.

A hot afternoon on Aug. 27 didn’t stop the Mervo girls from getting another quality practice in. They started with a light jog, stretched and then worked on plays, walking through them first before trying at full speed the next time.

Junior Amaiya Collins, who also runs track at the East Baltimore school, is set to play quarterback and also see time at wide receiver.

She said the team is grateful for Baltimore City and the coaches who have made the opportunity happen. The Mustangs want to make the most of it.

“Being with the team is good. We’re trying to communicate as much as we can, but we’re so new with it and it can be hard,” she said.

“Slowly, we’re learning and coming together. I feel like it’s really good. Everybody gets along and we’re having fun with it right now. Seeing your teammates have fun brings a lot of joy. It’s our first year having it, so we’re just excited to play.”

Dunbar coach Brian Phillips, who serves as a defensive assistant coach for the state champion boys team, had a big turnout during tryouts and expects to field the maximum roster size of 30 players. The Poets are proving to be a quick study.

“They’re really excited about it, like the opportunity,” he said. “What I like about it is their desire to learn and their desire to get it right. So if they’re not doing it right, they’re asking to do it over again and the more we do it over and over again, they’ll have it right.”

At Edmondson, coach Alexis Wade sees a group working hard and having fun with one thing standing out most.

“Energy. I can’t coach that. They’ll be outside at practice before I’m outside. So I love their energy,” said Wade, who is also the Red Storm’s girls basketball coach. “They’re coachable, they’re listening and we’re here focused and, honestly, we’re just trying to learn. I tell them I’m learning just like you are. So we’re going to make mistakes and that’s OK. Those mistakes are going to turn into good values and that’s what’s fun about the journey.”

Here’s the tentative schedule for the season-opening Kick-Off Classic, set for today at Dunbar and Western.

at Dunbar

Reginald. F. Lewis vs. ACCE, 3:30 p.m.

Dunbar vs. Mervo, 4:25 p.m.

Opening ceremony, 5:15-5:30 p.m.

Green Street vs. Digital Harbor, 6 p.m.

at Western

Opening ceremony, 3:15 p.m.

Forest Park vs. Douglass, 4:15 p.m.

Edmondson vs. Patterson, 5:30 p.m.