Everything is going to be new this spring when the Highland girls’ flag football team takes the field for the first time.

Highland will be one of 12 Section 9 schools that will be introducing varsity flag football, starting this spring, under the leadership of coach Sam Valentino.

“I am looking forward to teaching these girls the sport this year and for many years to come,” Valentino said. “We have quite a few talented girls and a quarterback that can sling the ball.”

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association created a girls’ flag football pilot program, which began last season with teams from Sections 1, 4, 5, 8 and 11 with donations from the New York Jets, New York Giants and Buffalo Bills, along with $100,000 from Nike.

The sport got more support from the NYSPHSAA in February when the Executive Committee recommended minimum standards for the sport, which includes minimum six practices to play, and a maximum of 16 games during the regular season, one game per day, and one scrimmage per day, starting this spring.

The standards are the same as girls’ lacrosse.

The committee also established rules, and voted to conduct a state championship starting in 2024.

The game is played between two teams of seven players each. Five are required to avoid a forfeit. The field is 40 yards wide and 80 yards long. The end zones are 10 yards long each. Each game will be 50 minutes long, divided into two 25-minute halves of running time. However, the clock will stop during the last two minutes of each half and change of possession. Halftime will be five minutes and if there is overtime, there will be a three-minute intermission. There is a two minute warning at the end of each half.

Each team gets two timeouts per game.

Each play ends when the flag is taken from the runner in possession of the ball.

As a former flag football player, Valentino said she is excited about passing that along to the Highland players.

“I am hoping with the experience of playing myself, I will be able to help these girls succeed on the field and find a love for the game,” Valentino said. “I am beyond excited for this new opportunity and can’t wait to see what it brings.”