The Lithia Springs flag football team had another standout season in 2025, finishing 15-5 and advancing to the Elite Eight round of the state playoffs, where it lost to eventual state runner-up McEachern.

Second-year head coach Darius Owens said his Lions lost several big contributors from that senior-heavy group to graduation. But Lithia has plenty of firepower from key veterans and younger players who are stepping into bigger roles.

Captain and quarterback Ty’Tianna Ritman is back for her senior season after accounting for 31 total touchdowns and winning Region Offensive Player of the Year honors last season.

“She has continued to grow as a leader and is the only four-year player on our roster,” Owens said. “She has gained attention around the state and is set up for another big season.”

All-Region center Adrianna Henley, a junior, is another key returner. Owens said Henley has “continued to develop and is primed for a big season.”

Owens added that juniors Cormyni Ruffin, Mileah Hatcher and Paisley Williams are “stepping into major roles this season and will be important contributors on both sides of the ball.”

He also spotlighted an “especially impressive” freshman class led by Anijah Harris, Aziya Jones, Anabell Garcia and Rayonna Parker, all of whom have stepped into starting roles.

The Lions entered Thursday night’s matchups with Pace Academy and Pope with two wins in their first six games. Owens said the tough schedule is part of the plan to prepare his team for the postseason.

“This is a young team, but it is not a rebuild, it’s a revamp,” Owens said. “We believe this group has all the talent necessary to make a deep playoff run. We intentionally built a tough schedule because we want to be challenged throughout the regular season and prepared for the level of competition we expect to see in the playoffs.”

“Don’t rush the process,” he added. “Keep the foundation strong and build together.”