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Desert Valley Blitz
Episode #3-The DEL Bloodbath: Week Two Roundup
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Friday nights in the desert are back in full swing, and Week Two delivered the drama, surprises, and statement performances that make high school football so compelling.
The early-season storyline emerging across the Coachella Valley is clear – the Desert Empire League is shaping up to be an absolute bloodbath this season. Every DEL team is showing strength, with Rancho Mirage, Xavier Prep, Palm Springs, LaQuinta, and Shadow Hills all securing impressive victories. What's particularly noteworthy is how these teams are winning in different ways – some with explosive offenses, others with suffocating defenses, but all displaying the competitive balance that promises an unpredictable season ahead.
Rancho Mirage made perhaps the loudest statement, turning a 7-7 halftime deadlock into a decisive 30-7 victory over Coachella Valley. Their midline option attack proved unstoppable in the second half, and this was without their premier running back Noah Hook. Meanwhile, freshman defender Josiah Cassius announced his arrival with multiple tackles for loss, signaling the Rattlers' pipeline of talent remains strong.
Palm Springs continued their surprising start, traveling to Grand Terrace and securing a hard-fought 28-21 victory behind the dynamic play of quarterback Bishop Miller II (son of desert football legend Bump Miller). Having faced arguably the toughest schedule of any desert team, Palm Springs sits at 2-0 and looks ready to contend. Similarly impressive was LaQuinta's balanced attack in their 32-14 road win at Yucca Valley, mixing their traditional ground game with timely passing to pull away in the second half.
As we look ahead to Week Three, the matchup between Palm Springs and Coachella Valley stands out – a classic rivalry between two of the desert's oldest programs. Can Palm Springs continue their momentum, or will Coachella Valley bounce back from their loss? This is just one of several compelling games on the docket that will further clarify which teams are genuine contenders as we approach league play.
Ready to catch all the action? Subscribe to Desert Valley Blitz for weekly previews, recaps, and insights from coaches who understand the game from the inside out. The desert high school football season is heating up – don't miss a moment!
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Week Two Roundup Introduction
Speaker 1welcome back everyone to desert valley blitz. This is the week two roundup and we're real excited because we got some. We got some pretty good games to kind of review.
Speaker 2How's it going, coach josh good, I had a good time friday.
Speaker 1Yeah, it's best time of year best time of the year you were up in uh yucca valley this weekend.
Speaker 2Yeah, yeah, I took the family up there. I got to go and just watch the game as a fan. It was real cool. Usually, you know, you're a little nervous. Coaching Friday comes around. I just went up there super relaxed. Sun was going down. Kickoff's about to go down. I had a blast.
Rancho Mirage Dominates Coachella Valley
Speaker 1Awesome man. Yeah, that's what it's all about, man. You got the band in the stands, you got people cheering for their kids and it's awesome man. That's what it's all about. So today we're going to review week two A couple surprises and a couple not so many surprises. So, our feature game last week was Rancho Mirage at Coachella Valley. That game turned out to be Rancho Mirage 30, Coachella Valley 7. A little bit bigger of a score than I kind of expected. How about you?
Speaker 2yeah, uh, I thought that first drive Coachella went down and scored. They were getting their inside zone running. Um hit the hit some curls over the middle, um, they were moving the ball and then they go down score.
Speaker 2I'm like, oh, here we go again and then, um, up right around this second third quarter, that d-line of rancho mirage started taking over. And then all of a sudden, coachella's rushing their plays, all of a sudden the timing's not quite there. And then, on the flip side, you have matthews and the rattlers get that midline going, and then their quarterback can run man so they got a good quarterback back there yeah, and that midline stuff.
Speaker 2And then they were doing some read option and, yeah, I guess their running back was the backup and he was running really well. He's a little shorter, quick, good vision. He was doing his job.
Speaker 1Yeah, noah Hook, their premier running back number one guy hasn't even played yet.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1So I mean watch out when he comes back. That offense might even look a lot better than it does right now. So I mean watch out when he comes back, that offense might even look a lot better than it does right now. So 30-7. I know it's 7-7 at the halftime right. So it was kind of like a little bit of a defensive struggle, that first half Both offenses kind of trying to find their footing, and then second half, what kind of happened? How did Rancho separate so fast?
Speaker 2He just got that running game going. Once that midline starts starts to click and um, uh, they, they hit a little bit of passes. I think the quarterback's getting a little bit more comfortable, um, from passing, uh, from the pocket, but he gets on the perimeter, um, and, and, yeah, offensively, they.
Speaker 1They just got that running game going right and didn't the quarterback for stevie go down too?
Speaker 2yeah, I do think they had some injuries. But even on the o-line.
Speaker 1he got beat and then they lost about five or six guys, so that always changes the whole complexion of the game.
Speaker 1We get into the twos and threes. Now you're just scrambling for survival mode at that point. So shout out to Rancho Mirage. They went down the road and got a tough road, win man. And we kind of suspected that Rancho would kind of be looking a lot better in week two. I think just their talent level is just such. They've done a good job of compiling talent over there and you know, I think they would still be one of the favorites for that DEL championship at this point right.
Speaker 2Yeah, I mean, all the teams in DEL are looking nice right now.
Speaker 1Everybody. It's going to be tough. I think the theme of the DEL being a bloodbath this year is going to be tough. I think the theme of the del being a bloodbath this year is is going to stay on point because there's not an easy, there's not an easy victory in that league.
Speaker 2Sometimes it comes down to one yard and it really it's up to the kids. Who wants it more right.
Speaker 1So rancho mirage. Shout out to rancho mirage. Um, they had a freshman named josiah cassius, who I've seen play, because on the youth level, for many years. So I already knew about this kid True freshman, though 14 years old out there making tackles in the backfield putting his name in the paper. So, hey, man, shout out to Josiah. I've seen that kid grow up and man, he's going to be a player. And, Rancho Mirage, that's not the first freshman you're going to hear about this year that's awesome.
Speaker 2Rancho Mirage. I know some of those guys on those lower levels, and they'll be up there by the end of the year as well. That's what you want. You want a good feeder program.
Xavier Prep Shuts Out Desert Hot Springs
Speaker 1You want, you want good freshman program and uh, that's awesome, yeah, so look out for Rancho Mirage. I mean, they got there. I don't even think they've really hit their stride yet. So, uh, problems for everybody else. So we'll kind of move on to the next. Uh, the next game that everybody was kind of talking about, xavier Prep and Desert Hot Springs going up to Desert Hot Springs. So that was Xavier Prep. Final score 31,. Desert Hot Springs 0. So that was a nice little thumping by Xavier Prep, but not too unexpected, right Coach.
Speaker 2No, yeah, you root for the Golden Eagles to do a little better. They got some guys. They just you know how it is depth-wise. Depth is always a thing you know after 11, 11 guys, it drops pretty quick and um hat, they, hats off to them. They fought, they fought tooth and l. They just couldn't, couldn't, muster drives and xavier did their thing. I mean they took a kick return early off in the game and yeah, uh, they kind of set the mood for the night, yeah anthony creek I believe, ran back the kickoff.
Speaker 1Another good kid from Xavier, offensive specialist, real fine young man, actually had the pleasure of meeting him. He took the kickoff back and I think that was kind of all.
Speaker 2That was all they needed, right? Because?
Speaker 1with the shutout, the defense was playing stout. Another DEL team, that's you know, is going to be. If they stay so, xavier Prep, they stay healthy. Look out for them because they're gonna for them, because they've got some top-line talent that kid Acosta? He had a great game as well. They run the ball, and then the quarterback is one of the best in the DL. Shout-out to Xavier Prep. Coach Doc's already got them rolling. Desert Hot Springs you'll see better.
Speaker 2You'll see a better performance from them.
Speaker 1That was one of their tougher games on their schedule.
Speaker 2They were running some nifty plays. They were running some nifty plays. They were actually moving the ball a little bit with their hitch game and it wasn't the same area they were finding a hitch here. So they got something going there, just couldn't sustain a drive and, yeah, they'll bounce back.
Speaker 1Yeah, and when you're playing a great team like Xavier, if you can't get it, you get to the red zone and you don't score it's like in the NFL, when you get down, it's gonna be a long day.
LaQuinta Defeats Yucca Valley On Road
Speaker 1It'll be a long day. So shout out to xavier, they're, they're doing their thing. They look really good. Um, so, like, like we said, not too unsurprising, but desert hot springs, I think we'll be back, yeah, talking about them shortly enough here. Um, on to our third game of the week. This is, uh, the coach, josh special laquinta at yucca valley. Yeah, laquinta 32, yucca valley 14. A little bigger of a score than I had kind of thought about la quinta, because I knew la quinta was going to come in. I knew la quinta was talented, I knew that la quinta probably be the favorite, but I thought it'd be a much closer game and it doesn't seem like it was. La quinta kind of separated themselves early a little bit.
Speaker 1Yeah, I was doing some big plays in the passing game as well, right, yeah, I was excited to see this one.
Speaker 2I saw Yucca play before. They were very sharp, I know they got some guys and even in the game against LaQuinta they showed teeth man. They made some big plays. King, is that his last name?
Speaker 1The running back, the running back. Yeah, he's a nice little back from Yicca. Took an option to the house 80 yards.
Speaker 2They had a nice seam play for another chunk change, but LaQuinta's defense made them earn it and eventually they just kind of became one-dimensional, kind of took away the. They never got that run game going and then they were just trying to pass a lot.
Speaker 1Well, they got behind too, right? Yeah, that changes everything. That's how.
Speaker 2LaQuinta trapped. They, they run the ball very well and they'll take that clock down. So, you feel that need to kind of pass Defensively. I thought, yucca, it was real interesting to see the coaching battle. They were feeling that pressure and they went to cover zero. For some of the new coaches that's when the free safety's in the box and you're playing man on the outside and you do that to try to give you an extra guy to stop the run or blitz. And they went to a cover zero and man LaQuinta identified it.
Speaker 1Took advantage.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1Was that why we had so many big plays?
Speaker 2Yeah, they dialed up some man beaters and got some guys in one-on-one situations yeah.
Speaker 1They had some and executed, though. I mean LaQuinta's. Got talent.
Speaker 2I mean LaQuinta's got talent, they got some young guys. Yeah, they had.
Speaker 1Hinchin on offense huh yeah, His first play was a touchdown, I heard.
Speaker 2Yeah, hinchin's dude, I know you're listening out there. How many times last year did I ask you to get in the receiver? Like 100, 200 times. So there I am in the stands as a fan, sitting with the family sipping a Diet Coke, and all of a sudden Hitchens runs out there, lines up at wide receiver. I sit up immediately. Oh what do we got here? And then they proceed to run the prettiest goal line fade that I've ever seen. Anyone knows me. I pound the table for goal line fade. I ran it in college. There's a technique there If you teach kids to do it right, it's impossible to stop. So it was just nice to see him go out there and execute. Start kids to do it right. It's impossible to stop. So it was just nice to see him go out there and execute. Starts with the timing course, as he threw a good ball slightly back shoulder.
Speaker 1Yeah, it was probably the highlight of my night to watch him run that fade.
Speaker 2You put in all that work for two years and finally it happens. Right, we worked on it. We worked on it. Yeah, it's good to see them doing it without me when you're not on the set.
Speaker 1You showed him the technique a couple years ago right.
Speaker 2It'll be interesting how they use Major going forward. He's such an explosive athlete. Even if it's just a decoy. You've got to respect him when he lines up out there. I mean he can fly.
Speaker 1He's the fastest guy in the whole league. Right, he's a track guy. Yeah, he can be returning.
Speaker 2So I think in big moments, in games, key matchups, I think he don't be surprised if he's touching the ball Right.
Speaker 1Or even just decoying, taking the top off the defense Top off the coverage. You got to respect it yeah you got to throw somebody back there, maybe two guys back there.
Speaker 2Yeah, I mean, he's fast.
Speaker 1And that'll open up a lot of things. So LaQuinta looked really good. I mean not a really. I mean how much did they run a run ratio, because you know, usually that's about 80-20 and we've worked on that in the past.
Speaker 2It was nice to see them um execute. I think it was 220 uh rushing yards 188 passing that's four touchdowns through the air. Okay, so hats off to roman. He did a great job. Um, yeah it. You'd love to see it, so right so they had.
Speaker 1They had a pretty good opener. I would say it was fun it was fun.
Speaker 2Yeah, they all had a good time, and it's good because I I knew those kids were young and, um, you know, like, uh, caleb hartwell, and uh, um, simon simone, I I got it. Uh, simon simeon, I think that's how you say his last name very fast, kid, and uh, he goes north south in a hurry. Um, I knew he was gonna have a big game Offensive line. I had some question marks, but they were opening up holes, man, and it was a good time.
Speaker 1Awesome. Well, that was a great start for LaQuinta and once again it just sticks to. Kind of the theme of the first couple weeks here is that DEL is going to be tough.
Speaker 2I don't think there's a weak team in that league right now. They all look nice, they all look good.
Speaker 1I haven't got to see shadow hills yet but I saw shadow hills and they looked impressive too. So, um, yeah, so same same thing. I think we're on to something here, coach, on to the next game that we're going to kind of feature. So palm desert went down to el centro and kind of the similar story of last year when they played el centro they, they took a loss. El centro 33, palm desert, desert, 14. You know, like we kind of told people last week, el Centro's the program down there.
Speaker 1And it was a tough place to play in the 90s when I went down there and played every year and I think that theme holds. You know you've got to get on the bus and drive two hours to play a tough team that has a lot of crowd support. You know it's not easy to get a win you have to play.
Palm Springs and Shadow Hills Impress
Speaker 1You have to play a great. You have to play. Your team has to play a great game to get out of there with the win. And unfortunately palm desert couldn't really find a way to do that, um, but you know, that's a.
Speaker 2I think the coaching staff can take it and kind of build off of it yeah, they still got, they still got that defense right yeah, it was one of those games where I don't even think palm desert was completely out the bus and it was already 14-0 yeah so it's tough to dig yourself out a hole. We've all been there, yeah, um, it's hard. I think after the thing settled down they fought them pretty well. Um, didn't get the offense going as much, but the defense was doing their thing and Central just broke some pass plays, man and uh, one-on-one situations and their guy won and yeah it happens.
Speaker 1But like I said sometimes game, don't travel on that bus, man or at least if it does, it's too late right, yeah it seems like you dig yourself a hole, especially against a good team. You're in trouble you know you come out and give up two quick ones and you know you haven't even sat. You haven't even, you know, sat down and got any water that's what it was, man.
Speaker 2It was quick, it was two go balls, and then that was it. Huh, here we are 14's, wow, so I think better days are ahead for Palm.
Speaker 1Desert that's probably one of the tougher teams they're going to see.
Speaker 2But you know it's early in the season, I thought their quarterback did a good job of playing in the game. He was throwing some nice balls. His receiver just got to come down. Especially those early drops by the receivers, If they catch those, I think they're right there in that game. It's about momentum, you know.
Speaker 1Yeah, oh yeah.
Speaker 2All the time you lose that momentum and then it's gone, gone, and you're like fuck, it's hard to get back.
Speaker 1Yeah, it's hard to get back, especially on the road.
Speaker 2Yeah, when everybody's cheering against you, especially down there. Yeah.
Speaker 1It's a tough place to play. It was tough when I was a kid and it's tough now, ready for a league. Next on the agenda here is palm springs at grand terrace, and palm springs comes out and they pull out a win on the road in grand terrace, which is in riverside 28 21 and that's an impressive. Another impressive win by dl team that's two palm springs is kind of making up for their slow start last year by getting off to a real quick start this year and I would say, in my opinion, they've played the toughest, yeah, they've played the toughest schedule and they're 2-0. So palm springs might be that might be putting a little, putting a little word out to everybody that hey, we're going to be a contender this year for this whole thing. Man and grand terrace, I, we, we've played them on the youth level and they always have a couple guys that are outstanding athletes. Um, it was a close game, but, um, palm springs and bishop miller junior yeah, bishop miller's son bump miller's son.
Speaker 1If anybody that knows 90s football, bump bump miller, he was good he was a legend man. He was one of the guys that I kind of looked up to coming up and that guy was one of the few one of the first guys that I knew of that I played against. I got a d1 scholarship. So shout out to him. I know he's still training athletes. His son is kind of following oh, really, that's awesome yeah, bump trains athletes.
Speaker 1He actually trained my son there for a couple couple of summers, so that's cool yeah, man shout out to shout out to Bump and shout out to his son. His son, bishop Miller II, is doing his thing his son's really good.
Speaker 2He's a, he's a quarterback, you know he's got the legs to do it, but he doesn't look to run right away. I like that. He keeps his eyes downfield. He tries to extend the play, extend, extend and he'll find that open receiver um once the coverage breaks down. So he's, he's really good yeah.
Speaker 1So palm springs man off to a great start, I think. Uh, maybe the most surprising start because they had the toughest schedule. I thought you know, hey, they could. They could easily go on the road and battle tested, yeah. So that's good. They're gonna be ready for league. I think you guys are going to be right there in the mix for the league as well, which everybody is at this point. We'll move on to the next game Shadow Hills 19, palo Verde, 6. So on the road, tough place to play. That's another old DVL school down there, palo Verde, going on a two-and-a-half-hour bus ride. Another one, yeah.
Speaker 2I've done it. When I was a kid I did it too, man, I couldn't find this game online. I looked and looked. I couldn't find it.
Speaker 1So it looks like Shadow Hills defense once again played pretty stellar and you know they had enough offense to get the job done.
Speaker 2Palo Verde runs that double wing.
Speaker 1They still run the ball a lot, and Palo Verde is a pretty good program now.
Speaker 2Yeah, they won state a few years back.
Speaker 1Yeah, so they're a pretty good program to go down there.
Speaker 2Yeah, small football town.
Speaker 1Small football town. Everybody's at those games. Oh yeah, so it's another tough place to play, like El Centro and the Shadow Hills. Went down there and got business. And a lot of times in the early in the season, it's just about get the win. I don't even care what the final score is. But you know, shout out to Shadow Hills and Coach Palmer. He's doing a great job getting those kids ready and people are sleeping on them. Desert Sun was sleeping on them.
Speaker 2They got a fun offense to watch.
Speaker 1They're going to have some successes here, just on that defense and the talent they got on defense.
Speaker 2They're always strong on defense.
Speaker 1And then they got a couple of skill guys that can really beat you. So shout out to Shadow Hills off to a 2-0 start. Next game we're going to look at. Indio went on the road to Fullerton, which is a long bus ride, Coach.
Speaker 1I don't know if I'd schedule that game that seems like it's a little too far, but Fullerton comes out on top and 50 to 0 is the final score. So Indio came, came off a a loss to Shadow Hills and now we're 0-2. Uh, fullerton, I mean that's a pretty, pretty long road trip and after the, the kind of the, the big game of last week, you expected there to be. You know, there may be a little lit let down in terms of trying to get these guys back up to go on the road. So, um, I think brighter days are ahead for indio. I think their schedule fortune turns out to be a pretty good team after I did some research on them, so it was not going to be an easy task. Yeah, um, I think indio has some brighter days ahead. Their schedule is going to loosen up here a little bit in the middle.
Speaker 1I've been through it too, man. It's like, hey, you just got to grind it out, man, when you're getting behind the eight ball and losing a couple games. You got to just get to practice and try and just get better every day. And at some point it's going to click At some point.
Local Teams Battle For Early Momentum
Speaker 1So Indio's got a long season. It's not how he starts how you finish. So we think the rajas still can do something here. So, uh, shout out to them, we'll be looking for better, better days for them. Um, next on the agenda cathedral city. Man, they come in, have their home opener. Cathedral city against san bernardino six to zero, man, it's a baseball score I love those games. It's a defense a baseball score.
Speaker 2I love those games.
Speaker 1As a defensive coordinator, I love those games too, but they're also stressful. They give me a lot of gray hairs when we only can protect a one-score game.
Speaker 1It's like any mistake and it's like, oh no, but hey, they got it done. Shout out to the Cat City Lions man, they came out home opener. You know, home opener is like, hey, let's get it done. Six, nothing, hey, I'm sure coach lee over there will take it, take the win. Man, going on, we'll take the win and and gain a little momentum from that. So shout out to the cat city lions coming out there and opening up on a opening up their home season on a on a winning note. You know, and I think the going them going into that new league, they're going to be real competitive in that league too. So shout out to Coach Lee and the Lions man.
Speaker 1Hey man, I'm all about the Lions this year Me too. All about the Cathedral City blue and black, so way to go Cat City. Next on the agenda here is San Jacinto Valley Academy at Desert Mirage.
Speaker 2I didn't really get too much information about this game. It was kind of hard, yeah, it was kind of.
Speaker 1It was kind of like in a black hole. I was trying to find some information on this football game and I could barely get a score. So, um, it looks like, you know, desert mirage coming off that huge win, eight touchdown performance by, you know, omar martinez. They weren't really able to duplicate that offensive explosion, which is always like you know, as a coach you're always kind of worried about that that you don't want to use all your ammo in one game. And that may have been the case. San Jacinto Valley came in and beat them at home 22-0. It wasn't by the score, it doesn't seem like it was, you know. It wasn't a blowout by any means. It seems like they just maybe desert mirage couldn't get the offense going, which happens happens, especially for a running team, yeah, especially.
Speaker 2You know they got film on them from the first week. They probably saw what they were doing probably put eight, nine in the box and said beat us, beat us in the air?
Speaker 1that's, I mean, that's what we always used to do with desert mirage. Is we just throw everybody in the box and say, okay, you got to throw the ball, I got nine in the box. What are you going to do now? You know so. But, like I said, brighter days ahead for Desert Mirage. They're one and one. They're fine. They're going to be real competitive in their league. So shout out to the Rams out there doing their thing. The next one dca versus riverside prep once again.
Speaker 2We're talking about my dca conquerors out there.
Speaker 1I want to see them play 25 dca wins, 25 to 6, and this time. So this was on the roads um. They went out on the road again and beat and beat a quality opponent on not the offensive explosion this time yeah but it seems like the defense kind of pulled it out this time.
Speaker 2Hey defense wins championships.
Speaker 1Yeah, defense kind of pulled it out. I know, kind of doing my research on this game, it said that really it was a dominant performance by the defense. Awesome, the Pasos brothers shout out to them.
Speaker 2They had a bunch of tackles 18 tackles, I heard.
Speaker 1Yeah, one kid had 18 tackles. That's crazy numbers. Yeah, it's, it's, it's, it's uh dca man I told you they got at home 10 tackles.
Speaker 2A game's nice oh, 10, that's 10's a good. You do 10 all year. You're an all-star.
Speaker 1Yeah, you're 18 18 is a lot. That's double that. So awesome performance um shout out the running game.
Speaker 2Were they running very good? I gotta see something. I know, hodges, i't able to get some film.
Speaker 1I'm going to have to talk to my people over there to try and get some film, but I heard it was more of a defensive performance for a DCA conqueror.
Speaker 2I'll have to check the tape.
Speaker 1Hey, so one week the offense explodes and the next week your defense wins games. That's balance, man. That's balance and that's what you want, right? Yeah? Oh, 100 yeah so I mean they're looking pretty good. I'm telling you they're looking at their schedule. Dca's gonna make a run man and people are gonna be surprised and I think they're gonna beat some people that I like it that are not really expect.
Week Three Game Previews
Speaker 1We're not expecting, so shout out to dca. They're doing their thing, keep working. My prediction my prediction holds true here, so that looks like the wrap up for this week. So we're going to get into our week. Three previews right after a message from our sponsor. Looking to upgrade your home? Tile Designs by FINA is your one-stop destination for beautiful flooring, hard surfaces and countertops. From timeless design, modern styles. They've got the perfect look for every room. Stop by today and transform your space with Tile Designs by FINA. Let's design together. Tired of payroll headaches, ipay Solutions is your local payroll and HR partner, right here in the Coachella Valley. From direct deposits to compliance, we handle the details so you can focus on growing your business. Ipay Solutions local, reliable and built for your success. Welcome back, everyone to Desert Valley Blitz. Now we're going to move on to our week. Three previews for this week's games coming up and Coach Josh, I know you had a chance to kind of look at the schedule what's Coach Josh's pick of the week?
Speaker 2Two desert teams, Coachella Valley going against Palm Springs.
Speaker 1Coach CV Palm Springs.
Speaker 2Classic matchup. I grew up watching all the time. They used to play each other all the time. They're probably the oldest high schools in the desert, right, so this goes way back. These are the two oldest. I believe, right? Yeah, I believe too, so don't get more classic than this. It'll be interesting. I hope Coachella can bounce back. I am a little worried about some injuries that we might have saw or heard about, but if they play their game, I think it'll be a good game.
Speaker 1Close game. Plus it's out at Coachella again.
Speaker 2So Palm Springs has got to travel.
Speaker 1The home field advantage will be there. Palm Springs, though, is on a roll.
Speaker 2Yeah, yeah. They've got a good coaching staff. They've got good kids that buy in. I think my favorite player to watch this year is I hope I get your name right Koa Rapola. He is an absolute stud out there. I mean the way he diagnoses the play quickly and it just blows it up with a reckless abandonment. He'll get a sack. One play and the next play he gets a pick. Sometimes it's like a pressure and a pick. He's just all over the field and he's really fun to watch and then when he's out there it feels like the kids play better around him. He's a leader.
Speaker 1Yeah, he's a leader. He makes guys better around him.
Speaker 2Yeah, and he got hurt last year and I felt that, man, if he just stayed healthy, that would have kind of turned their season around a little bit. It's just fun to watch. If you get a chance to watch him play, check him out. Man, he flies around. So you know I'm going to give the edge to Palm Springs, just based on what I saw last week, but it's still going to be a good game.
Speaker 1Yeah, I think Coachella, if they're healthy, that's a big if right, Because they've lost a few guys.
Speaker 2Yeah, there's some question marks there. They have a fun offense to watch. They go empty sometimes. They got that spread system, the wider receiver screens, which is my favorite play Read option it's all in there and it's fun to watch. I, it's all in there and it's fun to watch. I'm sure they'll bounce back.
Speaker 1Coach Johnson will have them ready. It's a home game they're going to use next.
Speaker 2man up mentality even if those guys don't play.
Speaker 1They've been running that system for a long time, so they should be able to fill in and make some moves with the guys that are coming back in. I think you're right, though Palm Springs is on a roll. I think they've played the best schedule so far in their 2-0. So the edge got to kind of go to Palm Springs, but we'll see. Coachella is a tough team. They're a prideful program now. They've won a bunch of league titles.
Speaker 2Scrappy.
Speaker 1Yeah, so you never know, like you said in high school, you never know. That's why they play the games. So Coach Josh's game of the week, palm Springs, at CV, put it down there. So so we're going to kind of look at the other games this week coming up. Yucca Valley at Cat City man, that's an intriguing matchup, right.
Speaker 2Yeah, they're going to. You know, yucca Valley, just you know, went out and you know they have some teeth man. They got some offensive players, quarterback can sling it. They got a good coach and staff, so I think they'll bounce back Lions. You know, hey, one and one coach Running game, one and one Strong defense. It's hard to beat that and they're at home, at home, at home.
Speaker 1So that helps, yeah. So shout out to those two teams. I think that'll be a pretty interesting game. Old league rivals, no longer league rivals. But another intriguing matchup I'm looking at here, serrano, which is a program me and you both know well.
Speaker 2Yeah, I like watching them play.
Speaker 1They've been around a long time. It's coming in Strong running game historically. I think this is going to be probably Xavier Prep's one of their tests. Yeah, because that's a good program. I don't know what they got. I haven't really dug deep on Serrano and who they played, but traditionally that a pretty, pretty good program up there and feeling right.
Speaker 2Then they coach, you know they're, they run the ball, they run power, they're, they're running first football team but, um, they can throw it and yeah, that like storied uh school, you know it's, they've been, they've won a couple championships, right, and they've been in championship games.
Speaker 1I know when uh palm springs went on that run in the early 2000s it was serrano, they were always playing in that final game and we had to go up there and freeze your. That run in the early 2000s it was Serrano, they were always playing in that final game and we had to go up there and freeze your butt off in December.
Speaker 2La Quinta too. We played them in the playoffs. A lot growing up, yeah.
Speaker 1So I mean that program's been a round-proud program, a good program. It's going to be a good barometer for Xavier Prep. We'll kind of find out?
Speaker 2I think they might be. They look good, they're top guys man.
Speaker 1They got a puncher's chance with anybody with those top guys that they got. So, like I said, we'll learn a little bit more coming up this week. Another game coming up Indio at Rialto. I know now this was a game that we kind of had circled and I think this may be Indio's good chance to get a W here. Rialto was another proud program but they've kind of fallen on hard times recently.
Speaker 1Last couple years yeah so Indio and Rialto would be a good matchup. It is at Rialto, which is not great because that's another long bus ride.
Speaker 2It's tough to play.
Speaker 1It's another long one, but Indio has a chance here to get that first W, so we're going to be rooting for the Rajas going on the road against Rialto this weekend, Moving on to Desert Hot Springs at Citrus Hills. Desert Hot Springs has got to get on the bus and go to Citrus Hills, which is another good program out of Riverside correct. They've won a couple championships as well.
Speaker 2DHS. They've got a good offense. I like watching them play. They've just got to get that running game going a little better, and I think they will.
Speaker 1Xavier's tough on defense, so I've been there, man, all right so Desert Hot Springs looking to bounce back this week Going on the road. A lot of our teams are on the road this week, a tough one. That I see right here Elsinore coming into Palm Desert. So Palm Desert, they may be second place for the second-hardest schedule because they're playing some good teams as well. Elsinore is a program that's been around for a long time. I remember Indio playing them in the early 90s in the playoffs Lake Elsinore coming into Indio. But they've been a proud program for a long time. They've kind of fell on a little bit of hard times in the last couple years but I think they've bounced back because they beat them.
Speaker 2I think last year it was really close too, a close game. I think they played them last year.
Speaker 1And it was pretty close.
Speaker 2Pretty close. I have to go back and look.
Speaker 1Yeah, but that's going to be a tough test because I know Elsinore just beat Temecula Valley, and Temecula Valley is a pretty good program, so it's not going to be an easy game, even with that defense. So Palm Desert, shout out to the Aztecs they're playing a pretty tough schedule. They've got a tough one coming up. I think it'll be a nice little test to see if they can kind of recover from that El Centro trip. It's always good to come home, though. Yeah, it's always good to see your fans. Um then, we already talked about the game of the week, another so on to your your team coach, citrus valley, coming in to la quinta's opener here on friday night. What we know about citrus valley?
Speaker 2they're, they're good, they. I mean, they got some athletes, um, they're well coached and um, they. I think it's going to be a good test for LaQuinta. Definitely going to be, I think, a step up from Yucca. Yeah, definitely. So it'll be interesting if they can keep that balanced offense going and that defense is. They run a 3-3 stack and Coach Franco does a good job with them and I'm sure he's going to have them ready.
Speaker 1Another test though Another test. They got some guys, only got some guys, you got some guys citrus valley probably is gonna have a little bit more athletes than yucca at least a little bit more of them. So, um, here you know. Good little test at home home opener. Uh, another pretty intriguing game and a team that we know a lot about is yucaipa is coming down to shadow hills now. This may be the best team that shadow Hills is faced by far. Yeah, I think it's safe to assume that this is going to be the best team, you Kipers, always, always, always good.
Speaker 2And they still run that spread that, spread offense.
Speaker 1Spread you out, throw the ball all over the place. I know the well coach the kid from you Kipers, the freshman that started last year, the quarterback. I don't know if he's still there, but if he's there he's going to be a problem all night for that Shadow Hills defense. That kid can play. I remember watching him in Junior All-American. They're going to have their hands full at home against Yuccaipa. That's going to be interesting.
Speaker 2That'll be another barometer game. Maybe that'll be the first time I get to see Shadow Hills play this year.
Speaker 1Yeah, it'll be a barometer game. It should be a good one, but Yucaipa always brings it. Yucaipa's been coming down this valley forever and playing our team.
Speaker 2Shadow Hills can beat them.
Speaker 1Then they got something right. They got something Big step up in competition, though, for Shadow Hills this week. I'm sure they're ready for it. Coach Palmer, have them ready. Next on the list we got Taquitz at Rancho Mirage. So Rancho Mirage, coming off that big win at CV Takwitz is a pretty good team, though Traditionally they've been pretty good. I don't know a ton about them, but that'll be a nice little test for Rancho.
Speaker 2They play each other, I'm pretty sure, every year.
Schedule Analysis and Final Thoughts
Speaker 1Yeah, I think that's one of their key rivals that they keep on the schedule every year. So Takwitz at Rancho Mirage. I think Ranch so talented, though if they get it rolling I think they should be okay. They just they've got talent everywhere. They've got nothing. They've got talent on the younger levels as well. So you know, coach matthew's done a good job of really building, building that thing out. I think rancho looking I think they'll be they're looking to good to get their second win of the year.
Speaker 2So at home, especially if they get that pass game going. Watch out, yeah definitely.
Speaker 1And if they get uh noah hookback, he has a big. That Hook back, that's a big upgrade. I mean shout out to the kid that's been filling in for him.
Speaker 2He looked good to me, man.
Speaker 1Yeah, but Hook's been on that elite list for a reason. He's a pretty good player. Next we got Desert Mirage, so here's another one that's pretty intriguing, at least to me. Desert mirage at dca coach. What are you thinking about that?
Speaker 2well, I think you got to give the edge to dca. Um, it's so crazy because dca was just playing what nine, nine eight man football just a few years ago here we, you know, giving them the edge over Desert Mirage. I'd give them the edge. You know they're offense defensively. They seem to be having good systems in. They're still working some things out on offense. I guess last week they struggled a bit but I'm sure they'll look to fix that and I'd give them the victory.
Speaker 1Yeah, I think DCA's got to be the favorite. But doesn't Mirage comes and runs the ball so they can kind of milk that clock.
Speaker 2Get up a couple touchdowns, get two scores up man, just sit on the ball.
Speaker 1But DCA just has too much talent. I think their freshman class and then the guys they got filling in. They just got some guys that can be big play guys.
Speaker 2I saw a couple clips.
Speaker 1The quarterback looked like he can wing it yeah the quarterback's been doing his thing for a while, and then they've got a couple receivers and running backs.
Speaker 1So to me they just have too many big play options. But you know, you never know. Desert Mirage is a running team. Maybe they come out and surprise them. I know it was a close game last year but this year we'll see. Um, but I I think that desert mirage is gonna be at least coming down there and and scoring and with that run game and kind of keep it interesting and another good local matchup it's gotta.
Speaker 1It's gotta limit the dca's uh big place, because that's the tough thing about. Yeah, is they gotta? They got a bunch of guys that can go over the top of you desert marsh can get a little bit of a passing game.
Speaker 2Watch out, it's just a power pass in the flats and maybe a corner route. That's all you need. They've got a couple of running backs right.
Speaker 1The first week they had a couple of running backs, so maybe they get it rolling again. That'll be a good matchup. We're going to be interested to see that one. And then last on the list, usually you take your buys in the middle or right before league ideally yeah, but it's a little glitch in the schedule so what do you think about that?
Speaker 2you like taking a, I would hate that.
Speaker 1I would totally hate that. I want my buy right before league so I can heal up. But buys are just used to get healthy the uh.
Speaker 2the other argument, though, is the kids kind of get distracted for that week. They're not as sharp when they come back. There's a risk there, but I see both ways, I think the reward is higher than the risk. Some kids will get distracted, but most of your better guys are going to be focused on the health thing.
Speaker 1It's football, Especially in high school. You don't have 60 guys on the team.
Speaker 2You've got maybe 40, maybe 30 that play and it's just part of the game, and people are always hurt, unfortunately, and a lot of the times.
Speaker 1The teams that go on runs at the end of season are just the ones that are healthy right, I mean you lose a couple dudes and it changes the whole complexity. It's not the nfl where I can just sign a db off the streets. It's like I gotta find if I lose my senior starter, I got to put in a sophomore. That's why I like high school football.
Speaker 2I love that. You know there is no. You know you get what you get. You know you got to make it work Right. Yeah, I think I agree with keeping that bi-week somewhere. Week four to five, I like the middle, just to get some healing going. Makes sense.
Speaker 1But you know, hey, teach his own right.
Speaker 2Everybody can't have a bye week for week five, so I mean someone's got to.
Speaker 1Someone's got to take it early, and this year it's 29 poms, so shout out to the Wildcats.
Speaker 2They're going on the road. La Quinta took it first. Yeah, that's right, so that's why I always bring it up. I'm wondering.
Speaker 1So is that by design.
Speaker 2Is that what we're? Well, you know, the kids get distracted and you get a little later start in the summer. You get more time to get everything ready before that first game.
Speaker 1So there's pros and cons.
Speaker 2They've always done it that way and they had a lot of success.
Speaker 1Hey, if it ain't broken, why fix it right? That's my philosophy. So 29 Palms Wildcats shout out to them they're going to go at Lakeside, try and get that first victory, and we're going to be rooting for them. So that kind of wraps up week three. I'm excited I was traveling this week so I did not get to go out to a game. But this week I'm definitely going to be at a game to kind of get some more insight for all you guys. I'm going to be at one too.
Speaker 2I don't know which one yet, but I'm going.
Speaker 1And then we'll get online and do our homework and try and see as many games as possible. You guys are balling out there. You need to contact us, follow us and send us some stuff. Man, we we're running low on the um on the set here. We need, we need some more representation of all the schools so there's a email that you can hit up.
Speaker 1It's called, it's info at desert valley blitzcom. You can send us there or you can just d DM us and we'll tell you where to send it and we'll get. You get a shirt or you know whatever, whatever you want to feature on here. So this is a community based show. So we would love the community, the football community down here, to step up and you know, give us some, give us some gear to decorate this, this place, and really represent the whole Valley.
Speaker 1So, you guys know where to find us, so I'm looking forward to week three.
Speaker 2Me too, I'm excited.
Speaker 1All right. So if you guys liked this episode, you know what to do man like subscribe and follow, and we will see you next time on Desert Valley Blitz. Thank you.