Sage knows it’s not same Lions

Just as quickly as the Linfield Christian School football team had joined the Academy League, the Lions left.

Linfield Christian, of Temecula, went from the Big Sky League in 2005 to the Academy League in 2006 and back to Big Sky this year.

So the game at Linfield Christian tonight at 7 won’t be a league game for Sage Hill School. But, in terms of preparation for league, Lightning Coach Pete Anderson said no game could be better than playing another competitive team. Both Sage Hill and Linfield have 5-1 records.

He added that his team, ranked No. 9 in the CIF Southern Section Northeast Division poll, wants a good showing this week to send a message heading into next week’s battle at rival St. Margaret’s. The Tartans are the defending division champions and are ranked No. 1 this year.

“As everyone knows, from here on out, every game you play is going to be scouted,” Anderson said. “You’re definitely communicating whether you mean business. It’s just excellent preparation for what will be our biggest game of the year.”

Sage Hill is also coming off a bye week, which allowed the Lightning to come into tonight’s game fully healthy. Senior offensive and defensive lineman Cody Gates, who was suffering a groin injury, should be 100% tonight and start on both sides of the ball.

“He had a great week of practice,” Anderson said.

The Lightning will also start Michael Higgins at tailback. The senior has rotated in at tailback occasionally this season but has mostly played receiver.

“We wanted to get him some more touches,” Anderson said. “He’s a pretty talented player when he has the ball.”

Linfield Christian is coming off a 1-9 season, including a 37-8 loss to the Lightning last year in the rain at Sage Hill.

This season, however, the Lions are averaging more than 39 points per game while utilizing both the passing and running game.

Junior quarterback Jason Moralez is throwing for 143 yards per game, while junior tailback Daniel Musquiz has already rushed for 695 yards and nine touchdowns.

“They’re almost carbon copies of us, offensively,” Anderson said. “That made defensive practice very straightforward this week. It’s like we’re playing ourselves. We’re very familiar with what they do.”

MATT SZABO may be reached at (714) 966-4614 or by e-mail at matthew.szabo@latimes.com.