HEMET – In a thrilling Saturday game, the Linfield Christian Lions avenged their previous 2023 loss to the Tahquitz Titans with a commanding 43-28 victory. The win, marking Linfield Christian’s first of the season, was fueled by outstanding performances from both their offense and defense.

Micah Little was the standout player, delivering an impressive performance with 66 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Little also contributed 53 receiving yards and another touchdown, showcasing his versatility on the field. This game marked his highest rushing yardage since September 2023.

Linfield’s Dane Sloniker (56) celebrates after securing back-to-back sacks, bolstering the team’s defense. Valley News/Rob Davis Photography

The Lions’ defense played a pivotal role in securing the win on the road, managing to break through Tahquitz’s offensive line for three sacks. Defensive lineman Dane Sloniker led the charge with two sacks. Sloniker’s consistency in tackling has been notable, as he has recorded six or more tackles in each of his last three games dating back to last season.

With this victory last week, Linfield Christian now holds a 1-2 record for the season. On the other hand, Tahquitz continues to struggle, with their record dropping to 1-3 after suffering back-to-back losses.

Looking ahead, Linfield Christian will face Norwalk at 7:00 p.m. this Friday, eager to build on their momentum. Meanwhile, Tahquitz will aim to bounce back when they host Liberty at 7:00 p.m. on the same day.

Special recognition goes to Madden Mayer, Micah Little, Dane Sloniker, and Carter Cane for being selected as the Linfield Christian players of the game.

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JP Raineri

JP is an award-winning multimedia journalist and head of the sports department at the Valley News. A former Southwestern League head baseball coach and former President of the Temecula Youth Baseball League, he has also worked as a local radio personality for All Pro Broadcasting and as a television host for the Outdoor Channel. When he’s not covering sports, JP works in the Media Technology Department for Major League Baseball.