For Lambert flag football, late-season success has come because of keeping things simple, which has been a winning recipe for the Longhorns and first-year head coach Nate Richardson.

After wrapping up its regular season with a 27-7 win over Centennial and a 20-0 shutout of Wheeler, Lambert sits at 13-5 overall and 5-2 in D4 Area 6 play. The Longhorns have won seven of eight games since a pair of losses on Nov. 6.

“What’s really been the biggest thing for us the last month or so, is that we’ve done the simple things really well,” Richardson said. “We really haven’t tried to make things too difficult, and the players have done a great job of executing. And then we have some really athletic players, which is the first thing you need if you want to be successful in any sport. You have to have good players to start with. The girls have bought in and they’ve done a great job of attacking practice and competing hard for 40 minutes every game.”

After a 9-9 campaign a year ago, Richardson – who took over as head coach following his stint as an assistant with the program – has a veteran-led team, a much older group than last season.

“I did think we would be much better this year just because we just had so much inexperience a year ago,” Richardson said. “A lot of our returners played for us last season and now they’re a year older. There’s no substitute for experience. These girls have played as well as I expected them to.”

Lambert finished fourth in region play, clinching a return to the state playoffs after missing out last year. A trio of experienced Longhorns have been heavily responsible for the resurgent season.

“It all starts with Abby Grace Flynt,” Richardson added. “She can literally play anywhere. Abby is a heck of an athlete, who plays some receiver, middle linebacker, running back, safety, it doesn’t matter. She can do it all. Another is Grayson Moody, who’s one of three seniors we have. She’s about as consistent as it gets, even when she doesn’t feel 100 percent physically. Grayson is as reliable of a player as you could imagine. We also have a junior in Parker Whipple, who can also play anywhere on the field. She’s a really talented receiver. She has incredible hands, especially for someone who picked up flag football last year. She’s come a long way and it helps that she's a really, really good athlete.”

Richardson’s team is vying for the first deep postseason run in the program’s five-year history. On paper, it looks like the team to do it, but the Longhorns’ head coach knows games are won between the lines.

“I’ve been really pleased with what we’ve been for the last couple weeks, but once you get into the playoffs, it doesn’t matter what your record is,” Richardson said. “If you get hot at the right time, you get a chance to make a deep run. All it takes is just getting in the dance, and from there, any of those 32 teams have a chance to do something special. The best thing you can do is just get there and then prepare the best you can. Compete for 40 minutes. All you can control is what’s right there in front of you.”

The first two rounds of the state playoffs will be Dec. 5, with the quarterfinals on Dec. 9, the semifinals on Dec. 12 and the finals during championship week at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.