Desert Valley Blitz

Ep#7-Rivals, Rankings, and a DEL Showdown

• CV Hustle Studios • Season 1 • Episode 7

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The valley finally gets what it’s been waiting for: league games that feel like November in late September. We start by rewinding a wild week six—Yucca Valley pulling away late behind Aiden Shannon and Clyde King, La Quinta clawing back from 22-0 only to fall in OT, Coachella Valley learning through a one-score loss, and Cathedral City winning hearts with a throwback T formation and a ball-hawking 4-2-5. Add in 29 Palms’ third straight win, Indio’s reset after a letdown, and Desert Chapel’s steady climb, and the story is clear: identities are forming just as the games start to count double.

Then the board lights up. We break down Thursday rivalries—Desert Mirage at Coachella Valley, DHS at 29 Palms, CMI at Desert Chapel, Cathedral City at Indio—through the lens of pace, depth, and matchup geometry. From ball control strategies to contain integrity, we map the small edges that swing rivalry nights when players and coaches know each other’s tells.

Friday’s DEL slate is a three-act thriller. Palm Springs at La Quinta tests the bye-week rhythm theory against live-rep sharpness in a matchup with title stakes and playoff atmosphere. Palm Desert at Xavier renews the Cook Street rivalry, pitting a stout Aztec defense and rising offense against a balanced, well-coached Saints squad—health and quarterback play loom large. Shadow Hills at Rancho Mirage brings playmakers everywhere and schemes that can score in bunches, making situational defense and special teams the likely deciders. We also react to the MaxPreps projections that slot La Quinta first and Palm Springs second—while spotlighting why this league might end in a shared crown again.

Join us on the sidelines as we call out the keys, circle the swing plays, and celebrate a valley where every team can beat every team. If you’re fired up for DEL kickoff, tap follow, share this with a fellow fan, and tell us your Game of the Week pick. Your replies might guide where we point the cameras next.

#highschoolfootball #coachellavalley #football #mayorscup #indiohighschool #shadowhillshighschool #palmdeserthighschool #laquintahighschool #coachellavalleyhighschool #palmspringshighschool #xavierprep #ranchomiragehighschool #cathedralcityhighschool #desertmiragehighschool #desertchristianacademy #desertchapel #deserthotspringshighschool #yuccavalleyhighschool #29palmshighschool

SPEAKER_02:

Welcome back everyone to Desert Valley Blitz week six. Welcome. Wrap up, man. We're already into week six. It's crazy how fast this is going, but hey, time flies when you're having fun, right, coach. Yeah. So this week we're getting into league play. We're gonna have a little special segment on that. But first, we're gonna kind of start with the guys who played last week and the scores that we saw last week. So, game of the week last week was uh uh Desert Hot Springs going up to Yucca Valley. Yeah, final score on that. Yucca Valley kind of handled business there in the second half. Yucca Valley 28, Desert Hot Springs 7. Thought it'd be a little closer, but to be expected.

SPEAKER_01:

Yucca's good.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, yeah. They have some offensive talent. Uh it was a close game. Uh, with my research on that game, um Clyde King. Yeah, Desert Hot Springs, and it was tied 7-7 in the second quarter. Desert Hot Springs giving them a good game. Defense was playing well, and then just uh Yucca has too many offensive weapons. They started getting going. Uh their quarterback Aiden Shannon, he had a great game throwing the ball all over the place. I like him a lot. And then that that running back, Clyde King. Yeah, 135 yards rushing. Man, he he's he's very good, man. Don't sleep on him. Yeah, so he had a great game. Uh Yucca kind of just pulled away in the second half. I know it was close there. Um, but Yucca's looking good for DVL. They got two more weeks and they'll be in that league schedule. I think uh them and CV are still the favorites, but hey, 29 palms might have something to say about that. We'll talk about that coming up. Um, so good win for Yucca at home. Good job, guys. Yeah, um, moving on to uh another really good game. I think closer than we all expected. Central 35, Lakinta 29 in overtime, coach. I know you checked this one out. What was your evaluation on this?

SPEAKER_01:

Giving this central team um points. I mean, a couple weeks ago, Palm Nether goes down their spots on 14 before they start working back. This time it's 22-0 before Laquinta starts fighting back. Um, Central's just too good of a team for you to do that too. And but hats off to Laquinta. I mean, Roman has he made some nice plays. He threw some some some really good passes and tight windows. Um defensively, Coach Franco's uh came out. Uh, it looked like he was playing with his fronts a little bit. He came out with a new odd um front that I hadn't seen yet, and then he switched to an even front, then he went back to his old tried and true uh 3-3 stack um and they started handling business. They were having a little trouble with that uh Wildcat, you know, the tight formation. It kind of bunches you in, and the running back didn't like what he saw, and he just bounced it. So it was a little contain issue. They got that um adjusted, and then it was a good game, man. They battled back. It was it was fun. It's it's one of those games you hate for any team to lose. Right. Um, they both played so well, and uh man, but someone's gotta win, someone's gotta lose. Um Lakinta takes the first loss. Uh in overtime, though. I mean, but they battled back, it was 22-00 quarter. They were in overtime, they were they were marching for five yards a pot. It looked like they were gonna score, and then they fumbled it.

SPEAKER_02:

That was it. That's it, that's how it goes, man. It's a one-play game, you know. That that that's a tight game, and obviously a game that Lakinta could have won. Yep. So they could easily be five and oh, yeah. Sometimes you learn more from a loss than uh than a win, you know. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_01:

You win or you learn. Are you uh yeah, you win or you learn.

SPEAKER_02:

So right. So maybe that blessing in disguise, they got a tough one coming up.

SPEAKER_01:

I mean you'd think you'd have an off week, maybe an easier opponent, but man, you got palm springs coming in hot, and we'll talk about that a little later, but whoo, that's gonna be tough. That's gonna be a big game, man.

SPEAKER_02:

So we'll get to that. We're gonna have a whole section on that. But Lakinta, hey man, they they I that if you talk to people around there, you know, I know the coach was upset that they didn't really get off the bus that first that first quarter and they paid for it. Yeah, you know, you don't you go and play a good team on the road, you don't get off the bus, you dig yourself a hole, and that's something they cannot do this week because that that'll be that'll be instant trouble. Yeah, that offense is not gonna slow down for Palm Springs. So but yeah, we'll we'll get to that more, but we're all looking forward to that. So moving on on the wrap up here. Um Valley View 21, Coachella Valley 18. So another tough tight game for Coachella Valley. Um, I know they were down as well. I think they were down 12-0 in the first quarter there. Um, then the defense started playing, and I you know, CV's known for that run and shoot offense, putting points on the board um and throwing the ball all over the place. But I guess this week, you know, they played some defense. Um that that uh running back Ivan Camaro, he he ran for he had almost 300 total yards in passing and he's so good, man. He's a big strong kid. He's he's he's doing his best, Aaron Ramirez. Oh, he's he's doing his job. Yeah, so he had a big game. Um, and they they came storming back, actually took the lead in the third quarter there. And then uh the defense was uh maybe been on the field a little too long and kind of gave one up there with about a minute to go. And if you talk to Coach Johnson, they didn't lose, they just ran out of time because they were moving the ball down the field. Um the quarterback had a move and down, but they uh they got stopped and stopped with the and the clock kind of ran out on them. So they were almost in field goal position, but another another tough loss for C V. But uh, I think C V's, you know, they played a tough schedule. So they're gonna be ready for league. I think Coach was in here telling us that that schedule was kind of designed to put them through the fire. And it did. They'll have another, they'll have a little rivalry game coming up this week, and then it's on to uh league. So C V, you know, even though in defeat, I think you know, they're they're getting their iron sharpened for that league schedule. You know, they gotta they gotta win those last years.

SPEAKER_01:

They're still one of the favorites.

SPEAKER_02:

I mean, I think they're them and you're still still right there to win the win the the DVL this year. Yeah. So moving on to the next one on the list, Cathedral City 34, San Gungorneo 28. Coach, I know you had a chance to check this out.

SPEAKER_01:

Finally got to see uh Cathedral City play. I've been you know, I like running, I love, you know, we we run the ball at La Quinta, man. So I've been trying to see what what what are they running at Cass City and they're and I absolutely fell in love with both sides of the ball on defense. Uh Coach Lee, I don't know if it's Coach Lee or defensive coordinator. It's a 4-2-5. Um, it's my favorite. It's what I would uh run. Uh in coverage, they're running something a little different, but they got three picks, man. So who like who am I to say? Uh they they were just keeping their guys back and and and picking the ball on offense, man. They're running that retro T formation. Wing and double double tight, double tight, three running backs in a line, man. They got all everyone's got a hand in the dirt, man. I just absolutely love that. We run it a little bit at La Quinta, but man, they live and dine it at Cat City, man. And it's really it's a balanced formation. You don't know where the strength is. You can run power right, power left, you can you can trap with it, you can cross-counter. There's just so many cool things you can run out of that formation. And it I love it that's a it's a throwback formation. They used to run it back in the day, so I love when I see that formation. And um, so I just on both sides of the ball, I was just in schematically, I was in love with just watching them play. I'm definitely gonna check them out again.

SPEAKER_02:

And yeah, uh coach did a good job, man.

SPEAKER_01:

I think the score uh didn't represent the game. I think they beat them up pretty good, they just had a lot of fumbles. Um they gotta take care of that ball, and and I think that's an easy game for them to win. And um, they get that cleaned up, man. Watch out for them in the league. They might they might make a splash.

SPEAKER_02:

That's what they're all about. It's uh second win of the season. Um, we had a couple standout Javier Ganendendez, three interceptions on the night, man. So I mean the secondary.

SPEAKER_01:

And he was fast too, man. He found that sideline, he was out, they couldn't catch up.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, man. He did a great play. Three turnovers in a game is a DB's dream, you know. And then we had um Trace Vargas, we ran for three touchdowns for Cat City.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, he's a good runner, man.

SPEAKER_02:

And then Berkham in the Ola, another touchdown.

SPEAKER_01:

So they've got some guys at Cat City.

SPEAKER_02:

I know that offensive line is the standout unit for that team, but they've got some skilled guys that are putting up some numbers now.

SPEAKER_01:

I I loved watching them play, man. It's fun. They got those light blue uniforms too. They look sharp out there. Yeah, shout out to Cat City, second win of the season.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, hey, getting ready for that new league. They're gonna be uh they're gonna be a contender in that new league. So we're looking forward to checking them out.

SPEAKER_01:

Good job, Cat City.

SPEAKER_02:

Another another game of of Coachella Valley residents or 29 palms is you know considered you know the valley sometimes. Oh, yeah. Well, yeah, 29 Palms at home, 38, Desmond 14. So a game that we thought would be a little bit closer turned out to be.

SPEAKER_01:

Sounds like they found a good quarterback, man.

SPEAKER_02:

29 Palms is as their coach said, they may have turned the corner. That's a third win in a minute.

SPEAKER_01:

Sometimes that is, you know, you gotta kind of I saw the uh the news article, you the kids gotta learn to win, you know. Sometimes you expect to lose every game, and all of a sudden you gotta, it's a process you gotta expect to win and and do the things that's necessary to win, and then the wins is just a byproduct of doing everything right, and it sounds like they're starting to do that.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, I think they're finally bought in and and figured out their roles and they're starting to roll, man. So that's a big win. I mean, they have this quarterback Josh Reynoso, he had a big game. Uh he had threw a couple touchdown passes, uh Logan Candelera, two touchdown catches, and then like coach uh Johnson told us from DCA, they got some linebackers that could really play. They always have tough kids up there. The linebackers' names are Corey Wallace and uh Wyatt Grant Granger, all had multiple tackles of over about 15 tackles each. So that's that's a great game.

SPEAKER_01:

That's a great game for each. 10 tackles is good, guys, on your deep on uh on the defense. 15.

SPEAKER_02:

So I think uh I think Coach was not exaggerating when he said that those linebackers are giving them trouble. I think they've just found their rhythm. You know, even when you start in the first couple games, guys are just getting around. You're moving things around, you're getting some pieces. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

The kids gotta learn their roles, yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

29 Palms, I think they're gonna, they're kind of turn, like Coach said, they're turning the corner. Maybe they're gonna be ready for that league, too. So maybe it's not just a two-horse race in the DVL this year. I think uh 29 Palms might have something to say for it. Yeah. I like when 29 palms is good, man. And I think they're they're uh definitely a contender in that league now. So it's not gonna be an easy, easy win for Yucca or it's looking nice.

SPEAKER_01:

All the leagues are are looking tight races, man.

SPEAKER_02:

Very competitive, man. That's what I'm saying.

SPEAKER_01:

Whoever balanced it out, maybe that's that's the trick, right? You got three different leagues here.

SPEAKER_02:

I mean, it's all gonna come down to execution, fellas. Execution and not turning the ball over, man. That's who wants it more?

SPEAKER_01:

Who wants it more?

SPEAKER_02:

Uh for Desert Mirage, they score 14 points. Uh Omar Martinez, their nice little running back. He's having a strong season. He did finish with a touchdown, so he continues his streak. So that's uh, you know, Desert Mirage, they'll be back, they'll be better days for them. I think they probably um expect it to be a little closer than the final score, but you know, that it happens sometimes. You get on that bus and long yeah, long season.

SPEAKER_01:

They could have injuries. You don't we're we're on the outside, we don't know.

SPEAKER_02:

Sometimes but they're there they have a big game coming up this week. They'll probably be ready for it. Um, I know they'll their coaching staff will get them ready. And then the final two games we're looking at for the um weekend, uh West Valley Hemmett 47, Indio Zero. So Indio coming off that big win, you know, kind of had that let down. And you you know that you know a coach when sometimes when you get a big win, yeah, it's hard to get them going that next week. And I think I don't know why that is, but as a coach, it it drives me crazy. Yeah, the kids think that they're better than they are, they want to listen, you know, and it's like, hey, we gotta play another game. You guys gotta execute in this game too. Every game is hard, man.

SPEAKER_01:

You gotta earn every game.

SPEAKER_02:

So Indio kind of doesn't get off the bus and goes over there and and and takes a nice little walloping. But you know, that like I said, everything for Indio is about those last three games. Yeah so they gotta be preparing for that. They just need two, right, to get in the playoffs. Two to get in the playoffs, so they gotta they gotta be circling those, getting close, getting close to when it really counts. So um, and then finally, uh, the final score was on the board was uh Duarte 34, Desert Chapel 13. Um, I don't know much about Duarte, but I know Desert Chapel has been improving. Um they put some points on the board. They always score. They always score, it's just a matter of their defense. Yeah. So always it seems like that's a theme with them is getting some defense going. Once they get that site built out, you know, I think they're a couple bodies short, you know, maybe in the next couple years they'll get that thing built out and then be competitive in all these games. So Desert Chapel is still looking for that first win. But hey, go on the road, you know, keep it close, you know, score some points. Yeah, better. They're trending in the right direction. So there'll be uh there'll be some brighter days ahead for them. So that's gonna do it for this week six wrap-up. We're gonna come back and talk about a big week seven coming up here after we're from our sponsors. 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.

SPEAKER_00:

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SPEAKER_02:

Welcome back, everyone, to Desert Valley Blitz. This is gonna be our week seven preview, coach. Can you believe it? It's here. League is here. We're gonna get to the league here shortly, but first we're kind of gonna go over the last preseason games for a couple other schools. And there's some really man. If last week was slate, it was kind of slim. This week is fat. It's popping. There, this is this is of the week, man. We're really gonna have some fun. So we're super excited. So we're gonna kind of start with uh Thursday games. Desert Mirage is going to Coachella Valley, an old school rival here, man.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, a lot of those kids are friends, right? They grew up together. It's it's a big deal. I know Coachella Valley's won most of the time the last couple years, but I wouldn't sleep on, you know, it's it when you get your friends playing against each other, man. You just sometimes you don't know what's gonna happen.

SPEAKER_02:

So those rivalry games, you never know. I know those kids like you said, they grew up together, probably played pop warner together. They're they know each other very much. They're trying extra hard. And the coaching staffs know each other very well as well. That you can't you can't discount that. We they've seen each other every year.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

So they know exactly what they're gonna do. So it's just a lot of times it comes down to just who wants it more than those rivalry games. So that should be a good game. I think Coachella Valley, just with that offense, gonna and they played a lot tougher schedule. They're gonna be the favorite. I mean they have to be the favorite, but it is at home.

SPEAKER_01:

But I hope it's a better game than than people think.

SPEAKER_02:

So I think I think Desmara got a little something though. Yeah, the strong running game. You know, milk that clock. And the way to beat Coachella is you gotta you gotta run the ball. Yeah, keep it out of their hands. Yeah, don't let that quarterback and that running back on the field. That's the way to kind of do it.

SPEAKER_01:

I've seen a lot of people win that way. Stranger things have happened.

SPEAKER_02:

So that's we're looking forward. That's a it's a rivalry game. It's not in league anymore, but it's still gonna be a good one. So I think uh that that should be a great one to check out. Another really good one, another old rivalry. Desert Hot Springs is going up to 29 palms. So these old DVL opponents meet again. Desert Hot Springs has uh lost two in a row and 29 palms on the three-game winning streams.

SPEAKER_01:

Two teams, one's on the downtrend, one's on the uptrend. They're gonna meet.

SPEAKER_02:

Let's see. But Desert Hot Springs is is a pretty tough, tough opponent, man. They've got talent. They just met some really big, good programs. I think uh Coach P will have them ready to go up there. Like another another coach's staff that know each other well. You know, they played every year for a long time.

SPEAKER_01:

A lot of history between those two schools.

SPEAKER_02:

Right. And but they got to go up to 29 palms, so that's always a factor in these high school games. I think uh 29 palms, you would think, would be a little bit of a favorite in that game, but like I would never count out the Golden Eagles, man. They're they're they've got that scrappy team. They play really good defense. I think a lot of times, sometimes they run out of the I don't think they have a really big roster, so sometimes they kind of get beat down in the second half.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, they're they gotta work on that running game a little bit. It'll help extend the the drives. Um I like the quarterback. Um he can make plays uh with his feet and arm. I think a good you know running back back there might help.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, Jalen Turner's that quarterback, he's led them on a bunch of game-winning drives. He's an experienced dude. Yeah if he he if he can put together something, he might have something for 29 bonds. So a very interesting game. I think uh we're gonna learn a lot about both these teams, and then they'll be in the league after these games. So real exciting stuff. Give me a good game. Yeah, another good Thursday night game. And then lastly on the Thursday night schedule, we got California Military Institute, which we know from um they came down here to Bermuda Dunes and played Desert Christian. They're gonna go to Desert Chapel this week. And I think this is a golden opportunity for Desert Chapel to get that first win. First win. Yeah, I think that this is a matchup that probably favors them in terms of personnel, might be one of the few where they have the same amount of bodies on the field. And I think that offense is gonna get going.

SPEAKER_01:

That's a ton of points.

SPEAKER_02:

Don't look back. That receiver that they got is gonna put up some big numbers. I think Desert Chapel gets their first win this week. We're looking forward to that one. Um, kind of moving on to the next one. Another real interesting game here, coach. Cathedral City is going to Indio. Old DVL rivals. I mean, these guys have played every year for the past probably 25 years. Yeah, you know, they were always on our schedule back in the day. They're that's a that's an old rival. Cat City's two and three, Indio's one and four.

SPEAKER_01:

Um I don't know who's gonna win this, Coach. Yeah, I don't know either. It's gonna be it's gonna be a good one. I just watched Cat City play, man. They they're they're doing they're moving in the right direction, man. That running game's tough to stop. They got two big kids that are good at running the ball. Um, but Indio, man, they got some guys too.

SPEAKER_02:

So yeah, that's Indio's uh Indio's looking to kind of get back on track after last week. Cat City, man, they've seem to have found an identity though, right? Yeah, I mean they run the ball, man.

SPEAKER_01:

When you run the ball, it makes a little it kind of sets everything else up, man. I didn't even pass last week. They didn't have to. Yeah, but I'm sure power passes in. Once, you know, they've I'm sure that's in. So you get suckered in and then you hit the fullback in the flats, he's gone.

SPEAKER_02:

So maybe they're saving it for this week, huh? But I mean that's a that's a real interesting matchup. These guys, and another thing, coach's staff know each other very well, they're used to preparing for each other. So it'll be, I think that's a coin flip. I think you know that's a coin flip game. I think if it was at Cat City, Cat City would probably be the favorite.

SPEAKER_01:

I think at the end of at the beginning of the season, I would probably favor Indio. But after watching Cat City play last week, I'm like, I don't know, it's gonna be a good game.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, so we'll see, man. Those Cat City kids play hard. Coach Lee's got them going. Indio's looking to bounce back. Yeah, it'll be an interesting one. Yeah. Moving on to the Friday, another Friday night schedule. Uh Banning is going to Yucca Valley. So Banning is, I did some research on Banning. They're two and three, but they've played really good teams. So they're they've got some they've got some guys, they've got some weapons. They've got some offensive weapons over there. They've played really high-level teams. Um, this is gonna be a tough test for Yucca Valley at home. I think uh Banning might come in there and and give them it's another instance where they were in the same league last year, and they're the coaching staffs are gonna know each other well. So, you know, a tough test for Yucca come in clearly. I heard Banning's got a pretty good quarterback. They've got some offensive weapons. Yeah, they've got some offensive weapons, they've got some some guys. Banning usually had, even when Banning was down, they usually had. I remember they had good running backs, one or two guys could kill you. Just if they couldn't, they never could get it blocked up or something would go wrong. But if they ever got like, you know, if they ever had any consistency in in in their offensive line, they would be a lot better than that.

SPEAKER_01:

I'm glad they're coming down here and playing playing our schools.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, and they're they're coming. So they used to be in the same league last year. So it'll we'll see. It'll be an interesting game. Kind of sticks on the theme of valley teams playing valley teams kind of for the for the next year coming up when we enter that super league. So another interesting one. Um, and then lastly, the one we're gonna preview in this segment, Newbridge Academy is going to Desert Christian Academy. So this will be Desert Christian kind of been rolling. They've been playing, they've been playing some smaller schools. Um, Newbridge is um, I think similar in size to them. And you you've you saw some research on who they played, right?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, they they actually play some um uh some real good schools. Uh they lost, you know, but at least their opponents are are worthy opponents. They're playing some good schools. So um hopefully it's a better test for um Desert Christian Academy, but uh I'd still favor them to win, of course. But yeah, and that's me. You know, you want to play a good game, you don't want to be 50 to 0 at halftime.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, and that doesn't do anybody any good anyway. At some point that becomes detrimental when you get into the playoffs and have a first your first real test. You don't want your first real test in the playoffs, right? Because kids are not used to being in a close game. Yeah, and you you don't want that. So Newbridge, I think, is gonna give them a better look. Um, I still desert Christian probably is on their way to 6-0. Yeah, but um they they will get a little bit more of a test as well as it's gonna be. That's what I was hoping. That's what I'm thinking. That's what we're thinking. So, you know, it should be interesting that that games out in uh Bermuda Dunes on Friday night. So we're gonna come back um after this short break and we're gonna get into the the big boys, coach. DEL league starts this week. Super excited. And man, do they the schedulers, man? They they didn't waste no time with this, man, because we're right into the meet. There's gonna be some very, very consequential games on Friday night.

SPEAKER_01:

Each of these games could be the game of the week.

SPEAKER_02:

I mean, yeah, it's it's it's it's they're all great. It's all it's gonna be a bloodbath, like I said earlier. It's gonna be tough. So we'll be back right after this and get into that DEL schedule. 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. We're in week seven preview time, and this is an exciting time, man, because DEL is starting this week. I feel like we've been waiting all year for this. Yeah, I mean, we've been talking about this since we week one, you know. DEL man is shaping up to be a real, real competitive league.

SPEAKER_01:

I don't know who's gonna win. I don't know, I don't either. But we're gonna find out after the you know, after this week, we're gonna kind of get a lay of the land, kind of what's going on and see where people are at, right?

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. So I think I thought uh it would be a good little thing. I know you haven't seen this, coach, but as every as every uh league has uh has a max prep indicator of who's a favorite in the league. I was gonna kind of roll, I was gonna read you off the favorites as you don't know just your reaction to it. All right, let's see. So so according to Max Preps in the DEL, the favorite to win is your La Quinta Blackhawks at four and one. I'm not surprised.

SPEAKER_01:

I mean, they're a good team. Um they played some good competition. I know they just lost, but Central's good, man, and they they they went toe-to-toe with them. So I'm not too surprised. I still you know would expect Palm Springs to be in that spot, but yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

Well, that's that's kind of where I would put Palm Springs, just because they've won every game. Like you can't only beat who's on your on your schedule, right?

SPEAKER_01:

Good competition too.

SPEAKER_02:

And it's not like they've played a bunch of nobodies, right? So we'll kind of we'll kind of we'll kind of touch on that a little bit. But speaking of that, so the second team that predicted to finish second is Palm Springs Indians.

SPEAKER_01:

So LQ Palm Springs right there. That's neck and neck though. They're they're they're right next to each other strength wise. And um, the good thing is we get to find out this week.

SPEAKER_02:

So yeah, the schedulers uh did did them no favors, but did us all favors because man, we're getting right into that. So Palm Springs is Palm Springs Indians are picked to finish second in the league. Um, here's my surprise number three, Palm Desert Aztecs. Yeah, that's kind of surprising to me. Uh, just just they're a good squad, man. They're there, they've played some pretty tough competition. I think that's probably why they get the edge.

SPEAKER_01:

Especially with that offense showing up the last couple weeks, man. It's kind of scary.

SPEAKER_02:

It's all about scheduling. And but you know, this algorithm that does these things, these are the things that do playoff seedings. So we gotta really take them into consideration. Um, but at three and two, Palm Desert is is uh picked to finish third in the DEL. Um, so that brings us to number four, Rancho Mirage. That's right. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

I actually think they're better than that. I I wouldn't be surprised if they're you know two or three, but you know, they've they have lost a couple games, so I I can see where they're going with that.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, yeah. I think they're kind of getting punished for those two losses, um, especially that first one, because that first one wasn't close. But um, you know, the algorithm doesn't see what we see sometimes. So number four prediction is a rancho more high that brings us to number five. Xavier Prepp at four and one is is picked to finish fifth in the league, man. That's pretty that's pretty uh shocking, right?

SPEAKER_01:

I would think they'd be a little higher, but I mean it's tough. I feel like they're all close. I can see where they're going with that, but man, it someone's got to be in fourth.

SPEAKER_02:

Four and one, I mean, the only loss is to Serrano. That's a tough CIF championship type of program. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

It must be uh the strength of schedule. It's the only thing I can think of because they've you know, four and one is four and one.

SPEAKER_02:

It's pretty good, man. It's pretty good. They've they've played, they haven't played lower teams. Um, you know, they've been playing some pretty good teams. So, but the algorithm says fifth. So that's what that's what we'll we'll kind of start with.

SPEAKER_01:

Um I actually thought they were gonna like before the season started, I picked them to win. Uh just just based on who they got coming back. And they still could do it. I mean, this is just a uh computer algorithm. Who's no? They they could blow Palm Desert out this week.

SPEAKER_02:

So exactly, exactly. Um, and then lastly, uh picked to finish sixth, Shadow Hills at three and two. So the worst team, the worst team in your whole league is three and two and play some pretty good teams and la lost their last one in overtime, easily be four and one. So that's what we're dealing with this year in the DEL. It's pretty pretty outstanding league this year, I would say. They could all beat each other.

SPEAKER_01:

I think I I if I was to predict anything, I would actually think it's gonna be like a shared championship type situation. Like last year, didn't we have three-way titles? Yeah, like three-twos. Uh, you know, it's just they're all really competitive. Um I feel like this there's no like really standout team like back in the day, Palm Desert was just like really good. And uh it I wouldn't be surprised if it's like a repeat of last year, but easily. We're gonna find out.

SPEAKER_02:

We're gonna find out, man. We're gonna is if somebody's gonna separate themselves, but it's not gonna be easy tasks. And the schedulers didn't do us, didn't do uh the teams any favors either, because we're starting off with some bangers. Starting hot. Starting hot, but yeah, those are the rankings from uh Max Preps. So don't send us the hate mail, send the algorithm the hate mail. We just want to let you guys know what people are saying, what what the algorithm says at this point. Um, our opinions are are not the same as those. Um, so like I said though, breaking down, we're going into week seven here. Man, this DEL schedule, we'll start with uh so game of the week this week, right, coach?

SPEAKER_01:

I mean I mean they all could be game of the week. They all could be, right? I wish I can watch all of them at the same time. I mean uh I mean you gotta go one-two, right? Palm Springs, La Quinta, just based off the ranking and record. Because that's not the only ranking. I've seen Palm Springs one in you know The Desert Sun and other other papers out there.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, uh, it's all it's all guessing game at this point, right? Until they start actually playing. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

So I I I'd have to go La Quinta Palm Springs.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, game of the week, definitely Palm Springs at La Quinta.

SPEAKER_01:

We'll be at that game.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, we'll be it, we'll we will be there covering that game. Um it's gonna be sidelines.

SPEAKER_01:

Come say hi.

SPEAKER_02:

It's gonna be it's gonna be awesome. I I I I I'm we're really blessed to have such a great game this point of the season. That's gonna be a playoff type atmosphere. I mean, both teams know that hey, this could be the this could be the deciding factor whether you win the league or not. So both teams will be ready. I think uh coaches are not gonna be holding anything back. This is the time to do it. This is the time to let everything go. And if you got it, put it in and do the playbook that's all that's right, that's right. So Palm Springs at Laquinta, I mean, what a matchup first week. Um beautiful game. Undefeated in four and one. Um, you know, that Palm Springs offense comes in red hot. I don't know how that so with the the whole uh taking the bye early and taking the bye late theory is gonna be put to a test.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, yeah, because Lakinta's coming off a loss. Um I'm sure they're a little banged up. They just played a really tough game and Palm Springs coming off a bye week. A bye week. So but at the same time, they're fresh, but mentally are they, you know, sometimes the kids don't show up after a bye week. It's really it's I've seen teams just kind of you know lay a goose egg after a bye week and take them a week to get back into things.

SPEAKER_02:

So we're gonna test that theory right now. I mean, and often what the thing that would concern me with Palm Springs is just their offense was so efficient and such clicking on a high level, and then you take a week as an offensive coach, you don't want to stop playing because offense is so nuanced, so there's so much rhythm involved, so many moving parts. And you take a whole week off and not get any game reps, you know. But I think they're so talented that I think they'll be able to bust the rope. Yeah, I think Bishop Miller's gonna let them lag. I think he's gonna be busting their butt and practice all week. And but that would be my only concern with Palm Springs because they're such their offense is so potent. It's just you know that the rhythm and the timing of everything. So we'll see. That that theory is gonna get tested, and maybe, maybe, maybe we find out some answers on that theory. But that's the game of the week. I think that's gonna be you know a barn burner. I you know, I couldn't I think that's a coin toss game. Yeah, I couldn't.

SPEAKER_01:

I mean, I'm going for La Quinta, of course, but it's gonna be a tough game. They got to earn it.

SPEAKER_02:

So yeah, Palm Springs is uh coming in hot, man. They're they've proven that they're the bet they've been the best team from week one on. Um, in my opinion, they've played the hardest schedule.

SPEAKER_01:

I think they want to come in and show that they're one.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. And that'll be, you know, it'll be a statement game. So we're really looking forward to it. We're we're uh the whole uh Desert Valley Blitz crew is gonna be there just to you know get some footage for you guys and get some get some instant reaction. So we're excited, man. We're excited. Yeah, more content for everybody. Um, so yeah, so that one, man, what a what a way to start. But then uh, you know, and then we go to the second game on the DEL schedule. Palm Desert at Xavier, the Cook Street. I don't know. The Cook Street rival, man. They got us prepare for you know another rivalry game.

SPEAKER_01:

I couldn't tell you're gonna win, man. Both squads are are very good in their own right. Uh Palm Desert's defense has been known to be stout, but they kind of let some points score the last couple times. Xavier can put some scores, uh, some points on the board. Um, Xavier's defense, I think, is always really strong. I'm a big fan of the defense they run and and how they coach it. And um, yeah, it's almost I feel like what quarterback's gonna play best. Better. Yeah, I think it's gonna come down to quarterbacks.

SPEAKER_02:

AJ Rivera versus uh King Palum. And then I I I just I think it plays into both the team's strengths. You know, offensively, Xavier's real potent with those top guys, and defensively, you know, Palm Desert's been stout. You know, that's the the unit that's gonna carry them to a championship if they're gonna win it. So, you know, hey, it's gonna be it's gonna be a great matchup. That's another game that just you know everybody wants to see. I wish I could be at both. I know me too, and I'm two places. I wish one of these was on Saturday so we could go to one.

SPEAKER_01:

I'll be on Twitter looking up updates and trying to find out. It's gonna be fun.

SPEAKER_02:

But they are both coming off by week, so they should be relatively healthy, you know.

SPEAKER_01:

So hopefully they got um Acosta back, right? Anderson Acosta. Hopefully I know he was injured.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, he was banged up, but I think they were holding him back for this particular game. So hopefully we see that. Hopefully we see Acosta out there. He's a big, he's a big time threat, and he's a big time clog of what they do at Xavier. So very talented. Yeah. So it I'm it is going to come down to a couple plays here and there. I think this game's a toss-up, but you know, it's going to be who wants some more, you know, game of extra. Can't wait, coach.

SPEAKER_01:

I get it. I love this stuff.

SPEAKER_02:

I can see a lot of these games going to overtime, you know, because they're so evenly matched. But we'll see. You know, that's why they play the games. That's why kids are preparing this week. Coaches are preparing this week. It's going to be a show for the us fans. We're going to get some shows, man. So enjoy, enjoy this time of year. Yeah. And then lastly, I mean, this is the third game, and it's just as good. Just as good, man. Shadow Hills at 3-2 goes to Rancho at 3-2 as well. Um, Shadow Hills known for their defense, but they're off they've got offensive weapons everywhere. Their offense is putting points up. I mean, they scored 50 in one game this this year. Yeah. I mean against a good team on the road. Um, Shadow Hills is offense is run humming. Rancho Mirage is super talented. Always super talented. Coach Matthews will coach. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_01:

He'll have them ready to go.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. So this is another one, man. It's another kind of coin flick game. I don't I think Rancho, they have some guys that you know it's going to give um Shadow Hills some trouble. Like Jeremiah Johnson, he's gonna give them if Noah hooks back. I mean, there's they're gonna have you know that quarterback Julian Hernandez is playing pretty well. So good. He's got total command of the offense. So they're gonna they're gonna give the Shadow Hills defense a problem, but at the same time, I think Shadow Hills is gonna give Rancho defense some some problems too. Because Shadow Hill's got some playmakers as well.

SPEAKER_01:

That offense is tough, man. It's you think you got everything covered, and then one receiver just stops right in the hole, and there it is, it's first down, and you're like, geez. So I can totally see them moving the ball against Rancho Mirage. I think that's another high scoring game.

SPEAKER_02:

I think so too. A lot of points. Whatever defense kind of shows up a little bit, might might give you an edge on that one.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

Um, so man, I'm telling you, these games this week are gonna be, and and all the coaches are gonna have them ready. You know, we have we have the we have the luxury of having some real great coaches in the DEL.

SPEAKER_01:

He's been working all year for this moment. Here's the week, guys. All all all teams. This is it right here. Make that push.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, and as you and me know, like this is these are the weeks that kind of can make or break your season in terms of you know morale and just you know, you get into a big game and it just doesn't go your way. There's a lot of different factors psychologically that go into these games.

SPEAKER_01:

And how you handle that, and that comes down to the leaders on the team, man. The players, you know, that sometimes certain teams handle certain moments different than each other, and and like you said, this is when we find out, man. This is league, this they've been talking online, I bet, you know, and and here we are, we get to show it.

SPEAKER_02:

So yeah, in the days of social media, all these kids know each other, they all know each other's stats.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, oh yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

It's it's time to go, and you're playing within your valley. So these kids have been playing against each other since their youth days, you know. So they know each other very well. Coaches know each other very well. They all have they all have their fault, you know, the folders that they bust out week to week from last year, what they did last year and what succeeded and whatnot. So it's gonna be great, man. It's gonna be great. This is what as a coach and as a player, these are the this is why you work all year. Yeah. Because when you get to these type of games. Now it's time to shine. This is when you go, you wake up at six in the morning to go lift weights, and you don't want to get up. You know, someone's not even out yet. You don't want to go to conditioning. This is why you do it for these this week's games right here. These show up. These type of games that make you make or break your legend as a player in a coach, man.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, and they go by fast, man. You only get 10 of them at you know your senior year, and and this is it, man. Moments here.

SPEAKER_02:

So we're excited, as you can tell, we're excited. We're football nerds, you know. This kind of stuff is is real important to us. I love it. And uh, I think uh let's go out there and support our teams, guys, this week. You know, if you're you're gonna go check out a game, go check your team out and root them on, man. We gotta get out there. Yeah, go watch the live, man. It's fun. Get out there, pay the pay the 10 bucks and go sit out there and get some soda, some candy. Yeah, and cheer on your teams, man. That's much needed. Community support is real important to these kids and the coaches. And hey, it's all it's all love, man. We're rooting for everybody. Uh the the season will work itself out, how it's supposed to work itself out, and we're excited to kind of go on that journey with you. So I'm right, coach. I'm excited, man. Friday night can't come soon enough for us, huh? Not I cannot wait, man. This is what we've been talking about all year. So we're excited. It's here, it's here, man. So if you liked that episode and found some value, you guys know the routine, man. Like, subscribe, and follow, and we'll see you next time on Desert Valley Blitz. Thank you.