Senior-Laden Lions Eyeing State Playoff Run in 2022
Posted on 09/06/2022
Over the past three seasons, Lithia Springs has been as successful as any program in the county. Under head coach Corey Jarvis, the Lions have made multiple state playoff appearances, won a home playoff game, and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
“I think we’re right where we want to be,” said Jarvis on the program’s progression over the past three seasons. “I know our kids feel like we could’ve been an Elite 8 or Final 4 team last year, so hopefully we can make another step or two and reach that point.”
With 29 seniors on the roster, the most of any team in Jarvis’ tenure, the Lions should have no shortage of leadership and experience at most positions.
Offensively, senior quarterback Jai’Que Hart, who is the reigning Region 6-5A Offensive Player of the Year, returns to lead the offense. With him, the Lions return three players who also earned First-Team All-Region honors in 2021.
Senior running back Demarco Brown will lead the backfield, while senior wide receiver Ayden Smith will be Hart’s main target. Lineman Kebba Secka, another senior, will help anchor the trenches.
On the other side of the ball, LSHS returns another First-Team All-Region honoree from last season in senior defensive lineman Cole Nash.
“All 29 of these seniors have been such a blessing to the program,” Jarvis said. “You can sit down and look at each kid and see that we’ve got great leaders…Those guys are great kids, and they’re kids who lead. Even if they’re not vocal leaders, they’re leading by example.”
Like other schools, the Lions will face a retooled region in Class 5A’s Region 5, as the Lions will face several schools from south Fulton County this season.
With a competitive region ahead of them, the Lions early schedule will provide some challenges to help them prepare. Early on, they will face in-county foe Douglas County High School in the Henry County Classic to open the season. From there, the Lions will travel to powerhouse Lee County early in the season before getting into region play.
“I tell anyone the perfect scenario for any high school head coach is to have three or four non-region games, and for two of those you want to play at least two tough opponents,” Jarvis said. “If you don’t, it’s not preparing you for your tough region or the tough playoffs. So to play two county rivals in [Douglas County] and Alexander, and then to have the chance to let the kids go down and face Lee County, that’s who you want to face.”