2003 was a
banner year for the Willamette Valley Raiders and it
started with a revamped defense led by a young defensive
back turned linebacker named "Ish".
After
playing for Portland's Jefferson High in 2001 Littleton
signed with Western Oregon as a 5'10" 205 lb freshman
defensive back for 2002. Following the season,
Littleton left WOU and joined the Willamette Valley
Raiders for the summer season of 2003 and exploded on
the NWFL as a speedy linebacker with a nose for the
ball.
Littleton
set an NWFL record 286 defensive points and was second
all-time with 19 tackles in a game on 8/2/2003. He
also set a total defensive points in a game record with
61 against the Cavaliers later that month.
At the
conclusion of the season, Littleton raked in the awards
being named Defensive Rookie of the Year, NWFL Defensive
MVP, and League Co-MVP sharing with teammate QB Kevin
Bickler.
Quite
possibly one of the best defensive performances in NWFL
history from an athlete barely 20 years old.
