From its flag to its roads, the state strikes me as a curious blend of contrasts and quirks — perhaps simply an enigma I’ve never been motivated to solve. Take the Maryland flag, for example.

Clarksburg flag football players celebrate their victory over Boonsboro after the finals of Maryland's first girls flag football state championship, hosted by the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

This fall, Maryland high school girls flag football is expanding from 43 schools to 92, as the sport continues to sweep the nation.