TEMECULA – The Linfield Christian Varsity Girls Flag Football team experienced the highs and lows of competitive sports over the past week, delivering a dominant win and facing a challenging defeat.

On Tuesday, Sep 3, 2024, the Lions roared to an impressive 39-0 victory against Temecula Prep High School. The game showcased Linfield’s offensive ability and defensive strength, with standout performances across the board. Sophomore Jasmine Shelton displayed remarkable agility and skill, playing a crucial role in maintaining the Lions’ momentum.

Team Captain, and Senior, Ava Shaffer, secures a touchdown catch in an intense play against Western Christian. Valley News/Courtesy photo

However, the following week proved tougher for Linfield. On Tuesday, Sep 10, the team faced off against Western Christian High School in a nail-biting league match. Despite a valiant effort, the Lions fell short, losing 18-26. Team Captain and Senior Ava Shaffer made a spectacular touchdown catch, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

Heading into this past week the Western Christian’s Fighting Lancers, now holding a 16-2 record, capitalized on their opportunities and proved to be a formidable opponent. They are set to face Orange Lutheran in a non-league outing on Thursday, September 12, following their recent 27-7 victory over Esperanza. The Lancers’ record stands at an impressive 13-0, highlighting their dominance this season.

With Linfield Christian’s defeat, their season record now stands at 10-2. The Lions will look to bounce back when they host Aquinas High School (San Bernardino) in another Ambassador League matchup on Tuesday, September 17. The Falcons currently hold a 3-3 record, promising a competitive game ahead.

In the Ambassador League standings, Western Christian leads with a 3-0 league record and a 16-3 overall record. Linfield Christian follows with a 0-1 league record and a 10-2 overall record. Ontario Christian and United Christian Academy are both 0-1 in league play, with overall records of 5-6 and 0-10, respectively. Aquinas has yet to play a league game and holds a 3-3 overall record.

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JP Raineri
JP Raineri

JP is an award-winning multimedia journalist, and head of the Sports Department for the Valley News. Over his time in the Temecula Valley, JP, a former Southwestern League head baseball coach, was also an on-air radio personality at Q103.3, KATY 101.3, Hot 103.9, and was a television host for the Outdoor Channel. When not covering local, or national sports, JP also serves as an Associate Baseball Scout with NSR.