The Long County Lady Blue Tide flag football team made history last season as they won the region championship and advanced to the semifinals of the state playoffs, both firsts.

In 2025, however, the story might be a little different as they look to replace some big playmakers on both sides of the ball.

Head coach Paul Austin, who has been the head coach throughout the team’s existence, is entering his fifth season with the team. However, this is the first year the team has entered the year with the proverbial “target on their back” after going 20-3 and winning the region title in 2024.

Austin said that this season feels different mostly because of the small amount of starters they have returning: one on both sides of the ball, but a large portion of his team is still playing softball as they make a run to the state championship.

That forced him to make changes to their schedule - changes he had anticipated.

“I also feel the pressure because I have 14 softball girls that are still playing in the playoffs,” Austin said. “I planned for the softball team to make a big run and backed up our schedule. We haven't played a game yet and some teams have played eight games.”

The GHSA flag football season officially started on September 30, but the Tide’s first game is scheduled for October 21, a road game against Swainsboro.

Looking back on the 2024 season, the team had several players move on to play flag football at the college level, with five signing scholarships to play at the next level.

Austin knows this will play a big part in the team’s chances and how they play on the field in 2025. However, he thinks the young players will make an immediate impact for the team.

“Some of our last season's junior varsity players have now had to step up and fill some big shoes.” Austin said. “We are replacing them with 10 freshmen. Some will start for us this season.  We are very talented this year and will rotate a lot.”

The 2024 team is the first Blue Tide team to advance to the semifinals in any sports since the 2000 baseball team. Austin knows it will take a lot from his players to get back to that point in 2025.

“That was a really cool run and we are hungry for more,” Austin said. “We have a very talented group of girls that have been with me since middle school and will continue to grow. The playoffs are extremely tough and it's a huge deal when you make it there. For us to get back there, my girls have to grow and learn to play together. We have to mature as a team.”

Despite Austin having an almost completely new set of athletes this year, he said their “goals have not changed.”

“As these girls get more and more experience in game speed, we hope to be ready by playoffs to make another run,” Austin said. “Our goals have not changed - play at an elite level every snap.”

The team’s season began on October 21 against Swainsboro and they will play their first home game Thursday, October 30 against Windsor Forest.