At a school that boasts the nation’s No. 3-ranked girls basketball team, Hebron Christian flag football coach Chad Griffin has had to tweak an ever-fluctuating roster.

So far, everything has gone smoothly for the Lions.

Entering Thursday’s first round state playoff meeting with Savannah, Griffin and company sit at 13-3 on the heels of a four-game winning streak – much due to a pair of two-sport stars.

“One of the biggest things we deal with as coaches during this season is having a lot of athletes coming in and out,” Griffin said. “Our three-year starting quarterback Mia James, who’s going to George Washington to play basketball, has been in and out the last few weeks. On top of that, our leading receiver and Mia’s favorite target Ja’Kerra Butler is committed to Auburn for basketball. So, I think we’ve done a really good job for the number of kids that come in and out on a daily basis.”

That’s because Griffin never knows how many girls are going to be present.

“I’ve got 46 girls, but I’ve not had one practice yet where we’ve had everybody there,” he said. “We’re not the only ones that deal with this in Georgia, but it’s great to have amazing athletes here. We’re just fortunate to have girls that love to play and that want to be a part of something special. This school produces great athletes but even better young people.”

For a Lions’ defense that has allowed fewer than 10 points per game, it’s taken the leadership of one of the program’s stalwart members.

“Lily Macrina is someone that I’d call my glue kid,” Griffin said. “She’s just a phenomenal leader, someone that’s there every day at practice. She wants us to be successful. Lily’s a quiet, gritty-type kid who’s got it done on both sides of the ball when other girls have been out, but she’s been a tremendous leader on defense. She’s a three-year starter and we’re a lot better because of her.”

Under Griffin, Hebron has compiled an impressive 45-8 record since the start of the 2022 season. However, Griffin knows better than anyone that what you do in the regular season is no longer relevant come playoff time.

“We tell the team all the time, every game we play we’re 0-0,” Griffin added. “You’re only as good as your next game, and I’ve been happy with the way this team is playing, especially with our young girls without some of the basketball players. We played Athens Academy and Marist last week, and beating Marist was a huge win for us, especially with our young players putting up points, while the defense played phenomenally. So we definitely have momentum going into the playoffs, but you have to get in there and win. You’ve got to play everybody at some point and beat everybody to remain standing in the end. … We feel like we’re good enough to play with anybody.”

Hebron’s Dec. 5 first round matchup against Savannah will be played at Harris County High School, who will host Central Macon in the four-team pod.