YOUR AD HERE »

Incline cruises past Valley Christian in football opener

Incline quarterback Dylan Cleary runs for a big gain against Valley Christian.
Provided / Robert Green

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Speed kills but defense wins games.

Incline scored a pair of defensive touchdowns and used speed to frustrate its larger opponent Friday, Aug. 24, and opened the football season with a 34-6 victory over the Valley Christian Lions at Highlander Field.

Incline juniors Kai Martinez and Zach Pexa each returned interceptions for touchdowns and quarterback Dylan Cleary threw for 186 yards and two scores and ran for another in helping the Highlanders pull away from the Lions.

Incline relied on its defense throughout, but a strong start was key in the Highlanders leading 3-0 after the first quarter.

The defense was led by junior linebacker Jorge Cardiel who made three solo tackles and assisted on eight others. He also recovered a fumble.

Highlanders defensive linemen Topher Vaughn and Marco Barraza combined for five solo tackles and three quarterback sacks.

Hard-nose defense upfront and good coverage by the Highlander secondary kept Valley Christian out of the end zone until late in the fourth quarter.

Cleary completed 9 of 17 passes and also rushed for 73 yards, and sophomore running back Brad Rye had a team-high 80 yards on the ground on eight carries.

Pexa was a standout player on both sides of the ball. Cleary’s top receiver hauled in a second quarter touchdown pass.

Cleary kept the Lions defense guessing by spreading the wealth to six different receivers. No Highlander pass catcher had more than two receptions.

Incline senior John Redfern made the other touchdown catch.

“We still have a lot of work to do, but I couldn’t have asked for a better effort from the boys,” said Incline head coach Brian Martinez. “We just need to stay healthy and continue to execute.”

The Highlanders this Friday, Aug. 31, will look to avenge last year’s 16-13 overtime loss to rival North Tahoe. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at at Highlander Field in Incline.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.