Desert Valley Blitz

EP#10-DVL Battles for the Top Spot While Palm Springs Rolls To 8-0

• CV Hustle Studios • Season 1 • Episode 10

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A shutout says a lot, but the story behind it says more. We sat down with Palm Springs head coach Daryl Gore to unpack how an 8-0 start took shape: a midseason defensive switch his staff sold, players embraced, and opponents now struggle to solve. Coach Gore explains why keeping the run game simple for linemen while changing the presentation for defenses has unlocked long drives, controlled clocks, and clean wins. You’ll hear how DC Coach Brown’s “take away what they do best” mantra guided the call sheet against Xavier and why trust between longtime colleagues can beat doubt on the whiteboard.

From there, we sprint through a loaded Week Nine: Coachella Valley’s first-half fireworks from QB Ivan Garza, the bracket coverage that cooled Aiden Pope after a jaw-dropping one-hander, and Palm Desert’s timely surge behind a defense that travels. La Quinta’s red-zone resilience returned, Rancho Mirage searched for answers, and the Sun Valley League delivered drama with Cathedral City’s late push and Banning’s one-point escape over Desert Hot Springs. Desert Christian Academy kept rolling behind crisp execution and depth, while Desert Chapel’s offense flashed in a high-scoring heartbreaker.

Now the stakes climb. Our Game of the Week is Palm Springs at Palm Desert, a collision of Bishop Miller’s efficiency and a deep backfield against a veteran Aztecs front. We break down how tempo, field position, and first-quarter composure could tilt the race for the DEL title. We also preview La Quinta vs Shadow Hills, Xavier vs Rancho Mirage, Coachella at 29 Palms, Indio at Yucca, Desert Mirage at Desert Hot Springs, and Cat City at Banning—each with playoff implications and style clashes that will test coaching plans and player discipline.

Ride with us through the film, the adjustments, and the moments that decide seasons. If you’re here for smart high school football talk with local insight, you’re in the right place. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves Friday nights, and drop your upset pick for Week Ten—we’ll feature our favorites next show.

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

SPEAKER_05:

Welcome back, everybody, to Desert Valley Blitz. This is a week nine wrap-up. And today we got a real special guest, a guy we've been chasing for a couple weeks here. He has probably the top team in the valley, 8-0 record after last week. Coach, head coach of Palm Springs Indians, Mr. Daryl Gore. Thanks for coming in, coach.

SPEAKER_03:

Hey, thanks for having me, guys.

SPEAKER_05:

So you're off to an awesome start. I mean, you can't get better than 8-0. Everyone you've won, you've you've won. You can only win the ones that are on your schedule, and you've done that. So congratulations on a fast start, coach. What are you happy about this season? How do you think that the season's progressing from your from your point of view?

SPEAKER_03:

The kids have um I like the success we've had uh is from the work they've put in. And um that's one thing um I really appreciate the kids, and I tell them all the time, I appreciate you guys uh putting that work in because this is it shows now, it shows from week to week.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, you guys, I mean last year you guys kind of got off to a slower start because of injuries, but this with basically the same team, you guys have come out and played the hardest schedule and 8-0, man. So that's a that's a that's a testament to your coaching and your staff, man. That's a great job, man. Speaking of a great job, I mean, this week, coach, when uh Xavier came to your place, highly contested game, a lot of hype about Xavier and you guys put a blanket on him 26-nothing. What did you tough defense? And you guys came out and shut him out. Uh, offense that had some weapons, but you guys did a great job. What um what did you attribute your success to last week?

SPEAKER_03:

Oh well, one thing our our defense has been getting better uh from week to week. So and shutting them out, we've been trying to do that to everybody. Uh Coach Brown really preaches that. Right, it just doesn't happen.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03:

Um kids really worked, they've been working, we've been taking the mentality one game at a time, and it's like what we've done is done. We always go back to that first game of the season. First game of the season, kids really want to play. You know, they hadn't been hitting nobody else. You know, so we take that mentality. Yeah, that's the mentality we take. Hey, this is just like the first game of the season. Yeah, you know, we're going right in it. We know first game, let's get after it. Same energy.

SPEAKER_01:

And it seems like the kids really bought into that because they have been repeating it all year.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah. They try to bring that same energy. Yeah. Um we was a little down, a little bit. Um, I think so. Against Shadow, we knew Shadow had got some kids suspended. So I think the kids kind of like, okay, a little bit let down a little bit. But we got back at it this week, um, this past week. Yeah. That um, hey, guys had that same energy. First game of the year. And they bought into it.

SPEAKER_01:

They doing what they do. You guys ran the ball very well. This I mean, it was it was fun seeing you guys uh lean on those running backs a little bit. And um, of course, Bishop Miller did his thing, uh, but it was nice to see you guys. I mean, it was run after run after run there for that first half.

SPEAKER_03:

We try to keep it out the game even, you know, but uh yeah, we want to run it. Yeah, we want to run it, we want to figure out a way we can run it. Um the um we go in, we're gonna run it, but how we're gonna run it, it might be a little different than than the previous week.

SPEAKER_05:

So same, same action, different look, or something like that. Yeah. Keep it simple for the kids, but it looks different, it looks different to the defense. We try to, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03:

Exactly. We we keep it simple for the linemen. It's the same. Uh yeah. Okay. Where it's coming from is a lot might be a little different.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, well, it showed. I mean, you guys ran the ball, man. You controlled the clock, you know, with that running game, which which I mean that was kind of how you guys blanked them, I think, because you guys kept your offense on the field. On the field. And the running backs, Koa did a really good job. Um, tanks, Tank Smith filling in for Johnson. You guys have you guys have a nice little stable of backs to lean on. They do, they do a real good job. They run forward a little bit. Yeah, and you can tell down in Koa, that guy gets going downhill. Yeah, I wouldn't want to tackle that guy, man. He's a lone man. Yeah. He gets going, man.

SPEAKER_03:

We tell the line just put a hat on a hat. Yeah. Let the runner back. Just get them to the line of script. They'll figure out figure out a way to get a few more yards.

SPEAKER_05:

Right. And I think the perhaps the biggest uh impressive thing for me when I was watching your film is the defense is looks like it's playing better and better every week. I mean, they're flying, they were flying around uh with this week, you know. And I think we saw them live against Lakinta, they look really good, but this week they just they were to the ball. You were getting nine, you know, nine guys of the ball and snap certain plays. I mean, that's gonna be going forward if you guys are gonna make a run. I think that's the unit that's gonna be there.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, they're getting better. We put this defense in against Lakita. And I was skeptical about it, you know. Right. And I tried to go to Brown. I'm like, you sure you want to run this? Yeah, I think we do this, we do this, and we end up um winning against Lakita. And I'm like, okay. He's like, the kids are learning. I'm like, okay, we're gonna stay with the same defense and get shot. Yeah, we're gonna stay with the defense. I trust him. I trust him. I've been with him a long time. You know, so I trust him. And even last week, I'm like, okay, I think we need to change, let's get back to it. No, I think we can stay with the same defense. And even after the game, he's like, the kids are really liking this defense. They really uh buying into it. And he tells me, I never thought I'd be running this. Yeah, you know, it's just a formation of the defense. Yeah. And I said, Yeah, me neither. But it's with it. It's worth working. It's worth it, it's working, coach.

SPEAKER_05:

If it ain't broke, why fix it, right? I mean, you guys showed out a pretty good offense. Uh, I mean, and just watching you guys on film, it looks like it was faster than what I saw a couple weeks ago. So Yeah, they learned it.

SPEAKER_03:

They they really learned it. Um Brown knows I always coach. Been questioning him for forever. When we was just assistants, uh, so when we was just assistants for fade, he he's the defensive coordinator, and I I coached the secondary.

SPEAKER_05:

So we would always meet some meeting meeting uh fights and stuff like that. Yeah, so but I learned to trust it. Right. I learned to trust it. And that's that's years of just working together, right? Yeah, yeah. So it's a beautiful thing to watch, man. It really is. Thank you.

SPEAKER_01:

He likes to take away what they do best, right? And then if if they're gonna beat us, yeah, they're gonna do something that they're not good at. So that's what I took away from when I coached with them.

SPEAKER_03:

That one time. Yeah, that's his main thing. We still get into it a little bit. Yeah. Well, because you know, he watches a ton of film too. And his thing is well, they do this. I say, well, okay, what if they do this? Oh, they don't really do that. That's what he tells me. You know, right? Well, what if they do do this? You know, you know, we have those kind of little arguments and stuff. As any good staff does. That's funny.

SPEAKER_05:

That's always some good, there's always some good fights that nobody knows about behind the behind closed doors on any good staff. So, but we'll keep those to ourselves. Yeah, absolutely. But it doesn't get any easier, right? I mean, this week we you got Palm Desert coming in. I mean, it's gonna be another battle. That defense is also pretty good, watching them on film. What's uh what are you kind of expecting looking forward to Palm Desert this week?

SPEAKER_03:

I think it's gonna be a good game. I think it's gonna be a hard-nosed game. I think it'll come down to the fourth quarter. Um I always say if if we do what we're capable of, we're gonna be hard to beat. But I know Palm Desert, Palm Desert got that defense over there.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah, um they're good up front. Yeah, they're good up front.

SPEAKER_03:

I haven't uh I haven't seen them that much this year. You know, I've watched a film of their game, but I was watching the team. We was getting ready to play. Right. Um but I know they they mostly have the same guys they had last from last year. Yeah, yeah. Uh yeah.

SPEAKER_05:

They got uh nine seniors on that defense. That's two defensive ends there.

SPEAKER_03:

So they're pretty they're pretty tough. So I know those front four guys is uh real really tough.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, you know, so yeah, they're gonna give you your offensive side a little bit, a little bit more work this week, but I mean I'm sure you guys will be prepared.

SPEAKER_01:

But um Yeah, the good news is they run the same defense pretty much week to week, so there's no surprises.

SPEAKER_03:

It's just that's what they do, huh?

SPEAKER_01:

That's what they do.

SPEAKER_03:

Okay, we'll try to figure something out. Yeah, I'm sure you'll be ready, coach.

SPEAKER_05:

Be ready. But hey, we're gonna be rooting for you, man. I think you're close to running the table here. We don't want to jinx anything. You gotta take them one game at a time, but um, you guys have shown that you're you guys are the top team in the valley right now, and by by earning it, not just by people talking about it. You guys have come out there and done your thing. So we're gonna be rooting for you. I think you're gonna have a long playoff run, and we're gonna be there every step of the way this year, coach. Thank you. Covering it, and we thank you for coming in.

SPEAKER_03:

Thank you. Appreciate you guys.

SPEAKER_05:

All right, coach. Thanks. All right, so we're gonna get back to the week nine wrap-up right after a word 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. Welcome back, everybody, to Desert Valley Blitz week nine wrap-up. We're already in week nine. It's almost over. We've only got two left. What are we gonna do? I'm gonna be I'm gonna be bored. I'm gonna be bored. But move looking at the game of the week that we both attended to, Coach uh Coachella Valley and Yucca Valley.

SPEAKER_02:

It was a good one.

SPEAKER_05:

It was a great time, man. Shout out to Coach Johnson and Raquel over there at Coachella Valley. Thank you for having us. That was hooking us up and getting time and getting us those media passes, and it was well worth it because we got to see a heck of a game, right, coach.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, a lot of a lot of offensive firepower. Um, Ivan Garza, man, he he was on fire. He came out hot, 65-yard touchdown. And then uh, do you throw five touchdowns after that? Something like that.

SPEAKER_05:

It was in the first half, I believe.

SPEAKER_01:

It was just nice, nice pinpoint accuracy with those balls. And uh Bill Johnson does a great job with quarterbacks. They all it seems like they always have a quarterback over there. So it was fun to see it in person. And um shout out to Yucca, they did what they could, but um yeah, they they came out a little flat a little bit, and uh Coachella was ready to play, man. Their coaches had the those boys ready to go when they came out that locker room, and and it shows, man, they they put up some points.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, that running back had a heck of a night too, right? Yeah, yeah, Camargo.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, because they had a little injury to the quarterback and they had to start leaning on the the running back, and um uh lean on him, they did. I mean, they they gave him the ball over and over again, and he just continued to get four or five yards of pop. Sometimes he break a 20-yard run. Um, I was thinking, I was watching, I was like, he's got to at least have like 200 yards. I even asked him after the game, he's like, Yeah, it could be high one 180, 190, but maybe two. And then I look in the paper, he's got like 260, 270. 260. He had a great game. I I was like, it's way over 200, but that's a great game, man. Yeah, it yeah. I mean, they hats off to them, man. They they can throw it and run it. And yeah, um, their defense, though, I thought was the standoff.

SPEAKER_05:

Second half, that was the difference in the game.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, they the defense really showed up for Coachella and um kind of stimmied and frustrated the offense of Yucca and um really had an answer for anything they were trying to do. And um, they couldn't really solve uh Aiden Pope, though. I mean, he he's uh I don't think anybody can, Coach. Man, I've never seen that. Yeah, I I mean I was there at the La Quinta Yucca game and he did catch a fade at the end of the game. I he I I really didn't notice him too much then, but standing on that sideline and and watching him play, uh, you really get to feel how good an athlete he is, man. He he can take that ball at any moment and score. I mean, that that play he made, I told him, man, it was one of the nicest high school football plays I ever made. Going over the middle. You know, as a receiver going over the middle, you're thinking you're gonna hit in the ribs, safety's got you. You're looking at the quarterback, the ball's high, so he's got to jump up for it, and he just goes up one-handed, snags it. And not only does he make the catch, he lands, continues to outrun the whole defense to the sideline and scores. It was it was really fun to watch. Play of the year candidate for sure.

SPEAKER_05:

Play of the year. That was that was great.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, sometimes that ball just sticks. You throw a hand up there and it just sticks. It stuck that night, man. Because it was a hot you couldn't tell on the on the replay, but it was a high pass. It was way, he jumped high up there to get it. Um, yeah, great play, man. It was fun.

SPEAKER_05:

Aiden Pope still first half had a great first half. Um, shout out to Coach Escobel, the defensive coordinator for Coachell, though. He made some adjustments. He did. They threw a bracket on him in the second half and and really slowed him down. Kind of frustrated him a little bit. They're not gonna totally, you're never gonna totally stop a guy like that, but it at least slowed him down a little bit to where it kind of took him off to his rhythm. So the Coachell had a really good plan for him in that second half.

SPEAKER_01:

They did a good job, man. It was it was fun, it was a fun, good, good high school football game.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, Yucca came out you know a little flat, and I think that that the to me the difference was that last uh last drive for Yucca in the second half where they got to the one and didn't score. Because that flip went completely. Yeah, Coachell was a little bit out in front already, two scores out of the front. It looked like they were one score game. They get down to the one and they can't play.

SPEAKER_01:

They were gonna do a quarterback sneak, and you can they had two guys in the A gaps, everyone's coming in, and so the quarterbacks I'll just try to go this way, and it didn't work.

SPEAKER_05:

And yeah, those spread offenses, uh, that's their that's their kryptonite, man. Those short yardage sometimes, short yardage, I gotta get one yard kind of deal. And it kind of came back to bite them. So shout out to shout out to C V, man. They look great. They look great, man.

SPEAKER_01:

They were I mean, they're looking like they're gonna win um DBL now, right?

SPEAKER_05:

And I think Yucca will be fine. They're gonna probably win their next two games and get into the playoffs.

SPEAKER_01:

They'll probably make the playoffs. They'll gotta win, though.

SPEAKER_05:

You know, yeah, you still gotta play them, but um, I would say they'd be the favorite, yeah, especially knowing what we know about the teams coming up, but we'll get into that. But it was a fun game to watch, a lot of fun. It was awesome. So shout out to CV High School. Thanks for having us. We had a great time. There'll be more, we'll be releasing more content about that that visit, but it was a great time. So moving on, so we're gonna start the next set of games with our Thursday games. Palm Desert goes to Shadow Hills 38-14. A little bit of a surprising score, huh?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, speaking of flat, I thought Shadow Hills came out a little flat too. I think they started playing around the second quarter, but I think uh I think if Palm Desert, I don't know if Palm Desert, I think they were both surprised on how easy Palm Desert was scoring that first quarter. Man, they could do no wrong. I mean you you practice on air and it looks like that, and they were it was that it was AJ Rivera's hitting everything, everything. It was very easy. Um, it was too easy. It was weird, weirdly easy, right?

SPEAKER_05:

It was they were up like against a shadow defense. Shadow they're usually pretty stout in the secondary.

SPEAKER_01:

They started playing better. Um, they had a long touchdown in the second half that that really put a spark on their sideline, you can really tell. And um, but it just wasn't enough to overcome the damage at that point.

SPEAKER_05:

You're already down 24. Yeah, it kind of reminded me of the game the prior week against Rancho, where Palm Desert just came out and totally stifled the offense and and and jumped out to a big lead. And I think maybe it was a short week, maybe because it was a short week that Shadow came out that first quarter a little bit flat, but once once Palm Desert started rolling, it was just too late, you know. They couldn't really get back into the game at that point, especially with the defense.

SPEAKER_01:

I was just gonna say when you got a defense like that, it's easy to protect the lead, you know.

SPEAKER_05:

So and that defense did their thing again. I mean, a shadow team that only scored 14 points. I mean, Shadow put up some points, they got weapons everywhere.

SPEAKER_01:

They put up 50 earlier in the in the year.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, so for them to come out and only get 14 on a Thursday on a short week where there's not a lot of game planning going on. Yeah, we thought it would kind of be a track meet, and it kind of it was a track meet in only one direction. Yeah, so yeah, hey, two and one. Palm Dizer's right there, man. They're peeking at the right time.

SPEAKER_01:

So Shorty's got his boys playing.

SPEAKER_05:

They got a big one coming up this week, and we'll talk about that. But Palm Dizer's right in contention for the league still. So shout out to those guys. They started, they started with a rough one, and that just goes to show you guys this game's week to week, man. One week you can feel like you're in the you know the the depths of hell, and then the next week, you know, you come out and play over your head and get right back in it. So this game is always week to week. That's what I love it. That's why we love it. That's why we love it. Moving on to another Thursday game. Um, 29 pounds goes into Indio, and if the final score is 44, Indio 25. Not a big surprise on the score. I think we kind of anticipated 29 pounds would be a favorite in that one. Yeah, I think the bigger story in this game, unfortunately, is another altercation that we've heard about that is probably gonna lead to some suspensions. We don't know exactly like anybody else.

SPEAKER_01:

Stay on the benches, I guess.

SPEAKER_05:

We've heard what we've heard is that there's gonna probably be some stuff coming down the pipe for that one. So just another bat, that's not a good scene, not a good look for everybody. I mean, I don't know what the score was when the altercation took place, but if it's it's not a close score and guys are coming off the bench, yeah, you should probably shouldn't be doing that, you know.

SPEAKER_01:

When you're senior, you only get 10 games, man. And if you get suspended for three or four of them, then that's half your year, man. That's not not worth it.

SPEAKER_05:

It's not worth it. It's never worth it, guys. So you know, it's just another, another we want to re-re-emphasize that point.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, you want to make your plays, man. You want to be out there with your friends and make your plays, you know.

SPEAKER_05:

You only get 40 of these games, man, even if you play varsity four years. So cherish everyone, don't lose them for some boneheaded thing coming up the sideline.

SPEAKER_01:

Let the coaches break the fight up, stay on the sideline.

SPEAKER_05:

So 29 palms moves to one and oh in DVL, though. That sets up a nice matchup next week with Coachella. So they'll be both playing for first place. Yeah. Um, Coachella's probably gonna be favorite. I would assume I like Coachella look great, they look good, man. 29 palms are gonna have their hands full. But you know, hey, it's right, you know, that's why they playing.

SPEAKER_01:

Or are they playing? They're playing in 29.

SPEAKER_05:

Leave up in 29.

SPEAKER_01:

All right.

SPEAKER_05:

So we'll see. We'll see how it goes. That's always a tough trip to make. So be a good game for the DVL next week.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05:

Moving on with the wrap up, we're gonna move to some DEL action, coach. Palm Springs 26, Xavier Prep Zero. That's another kind of surprising score, right?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, I was looking forward to this game. I know that um Xavier has a very good defense. I was gonna see uh, you know, what Palm Springs offense can be. Obviously, Palm Springs got probably the number one offense in DEL right now. So I was looking forward to the matchup, man. And um, you know, it looked like Palm Springs just ran kind of right through that defense a little bit.

SPEAKER_05:

And I think that matchup did kind of show some teeth, though. That Palm Springs, you know, I I watched, I got was able to watch some film on it. Palm Springs put up points. Bishop Miller had them having them going, but they really had to run the ball to get they couldn't really usually Palm Springs going up and down with the passing game, and that was not the case. They ran the ball, they ran the heck out of the ball this year.

SPEAKER_01:

No, and I can attest to that. Those DBs that Xavier played played really good football. So yeah. Um, but uh that's what that's what the question was. Could they run the ball? And they ran the ball. They ran the ball.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, it's even without their number one running back, yeah. Jordan Johnson's still out. Um, so co at Cole Rapult had to fill in a little bit. Not bad. Not a bad replacement, not a bad number two guys. And then you got uh Tank Smith, freshman phenome, carrying the rock, carrying the rock and getting getting some nice, nice little carries. Yeah, you look out for that kid the next two years. He's gonna be something special. So um I'm just I'm surprised with Xavier being blank, though. So I think we need to start talking about the Palm Desert Palm Springs, excuse me, defense. I think it's an underrated unit.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, they're getting better and better. Um we just had um the head coach in, he he said they they switched up the defense a few weeks ago and they they're starting to understand it better and play play it faster and faster. And uh it's high school football, so the faster those kids understand their assignment and the faster they can get to the ball, the better. And and it looked like that this Friday.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

Watching them on film, they looked like they were playing fast.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, faster than when we saw them at Le Quinta.

SPEAKER_01:

So yeah, nine hats on the ball.

SPEAKER_05:

That's fast. That's that's pretty scary if that that unit can improve. So I mean, if they're gonna make a run though, that's how the ball's got to overperform and they're doing it.

SPEAKER_01:

So you need defense in the playoffs.

SPEAKER_05:

Oh, you gotta have some defense, you gotta get stops. Yeah. So Palm Springs, eight-no, not a bad, not a bad start.

SPEAKER_01:

That's a great year, man. That's a good year, man.

SPEAKER_05:

For those kids, they're gonna got two tough ones to finish out. They got a tough one coming up this week. This week. And then they got the rivalry, so it's not gonna be easy.

SPEAKER_01:

Because technically, if they did lose, if they did, that's four, you know, they go four in one league. There that could be a shared. We could be a title. Did we shared the title just like last year? So we'll see.

SPEAKER_05:

That's why that's why it's interesting. That's why they play the game. So that's why they play. We'll get to that more in the preview section. Uh, another more DEL action. Lakinta, 40, Rancham Raj, 13. So Lakinta kind of comes in and does what we expect.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, they ran the ball very efficiently. Um, Roman, you know, dropped back, found some receivers, but he he also um had some nice runs with his feet. Um, that's a and then uh Colton McCroy stepped in again uh at running back. He's just like uh like a throwback player. He plays linebacker, he plays fullback. That's his next that's his main spot, fullback, and then you lose the tailback. He's like, sure, I'll run. He steps back and he's getting, you know, I don't know what his average is, but I'd say it's like six, seven yards a uh carry. Um just a really good kid, and uh he plays the game the right way. And uh if you get a chance to watch him play, man, he's he's fun, man. So um hats off to him. Uh Roman uh did a great job, you know, commanding that offense. Um defense did their thing. Um Ratchet Mirage had some chances of score. They got down to the 10-yard line a few different times, they just couldn't punch it in.

SPEAKER_05:

Um King to kind of bowled up in the red zone.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, yeah. I mean, you know, that's what you do on defense, right? You make them earn it. You don't give them any big plays, and then all of a sudden they're high school kids, just chances are they're gonna make a mistake. That's a long drive, 10, 12 plays. That's a lot of mistake-free football to get down there. Yeah, and then the chances of them making a mistake goes up exponentially the longer the drive. So um, that's what they did, and they made some mistakes in the red zone. Lakinta win.

SPEAKER_05:

So yeah, and La Quinta, the another thing about La Quinta is they're maybe starting to get healthy a little bit.

SPEAKER_01:

I'm hearing that's what I'm hearing.

SPEAKER_05:

That's a good time to start getting healthy. Right at the end towards the game. They got a tough one coming up this week as well. Um, but yeah, Lakinta 2-1 in DEL, so they're right there as well, you know, and depending on what happens next week, they still could be in contention for winning the whole thing.

SPEAKER_01:

So one game at a time for them, and you don't know what's gonna happen at the end of the season, man.

SPEAKER_05:

So never know, especially with those rivalry games. So two and one, Lakinta's right there. Uh Ranch Mirage moves to 0-2 or 0-3, so their their chances of making the playoffs are are slim, but they still can shock some people and go 2-0, so it's never over.

SPEAKER_01:

But um, I've seen it happen. So we never know.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, never know.

SPEAKER_05:

You gotta keep fighting hard. It's week to week in this business. So um moving on to the Sun Valley League, this new league that we're kind of been talking about. Cathedral City 20, Desert Mirage 14. Good game, huh? Good game out in Desert Mirage.

SPEAKER_01:

Any passes that game? I mean, I got it.

SPEAKER_05:

I wanted to check the I was looking for a box score, but I couldn't find that.

SPEAKER_02:

That would be awesome if it was all runs, man.

SPEAKER_05:

I think it probably was about 90% running, just knowing those two teams. So apparently Desert Mirage jumped out a little early on them, 14-7. And then Cat City, man, the Lions, as they do, they made a little, they made a little comeback there in the fourth quarter. And uh Trace Vargas is one of their main running backs. He scored, he scored the final, final touchdown um in the fourth quarter and put up put Cat City over the top. So big uh road win for Cat City. That's a big win. Yeah, puts them in one and oh in league, you know. So that's what that's what everybody wants to be. Yeah, that Sun Valley League is gonna be pretty competitive looking at some of these scores. So Cat City's good job, Cat City. Cass City got still got a chance to win league, you know. So goes to show you. It's all not how you start, it's how you finish.

SPEAKER_01:

So 100%.

SPEAKER_05:

Moving on to another Sun Valley. Now, this one was the game of the week in the Sun Valley banning 28, Desert Hot Springs 27, man. Banning goes up to Desert Hot Springs and gets a one-point win, man. And reading up about this game, um, it looks like a safety was the difference.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, I heard that in in yeah, at the beginning of the game, there's a safety, man. That's tough when you get a safety. Man, that's tough. And then they'll lose by one point.

SPEAKER_05:

They'll lose by one point. So, I mean, Desert Hot Springs was in control of this game, apparently. They they had a lead.

SPEAKER_01:

Um, that's pretty impressive. Banning's putting up big numbers. I mean, um, I was reading about one of the receivers got like 2,000 yards already. So for them to be even be in that game just shows you they're they're a good football team.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

Um, I want to watch him play. I want to watch, I want to watch uh Banning play. I haven't seen them.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, we gotta get some film on Banning. So anybody out there in Banning some film so we can break it down. But yeah, pretty, pretty exciting game. I guess Banning had to come back in the fourth quarter and and and score a touchdown late to kind of pull ahead. But Desert Hot Springs, man, they're right there. They're right there.

SPEAKER_02:

Golden Eagles, man. Golden Eagles are fighting.

SPEAKER_05:

Coach P still got those dudes fighting. They're they start off 0-1, but like anything can happen.

SPEAKER_01:

Those are the type of losses that stay with you, man. You'll be like, it'll be like two years from now, you'll wake up in bed and go, dang. Right. So shouldn't have given up that's 18.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, those always give you nightmares, man. Yeah. But still got two games to go. So season's not over. We've got a long way. Keep battling. Yeah. Desert Hot Springs got a good chance to go 2-0 to end the season and get themselves in the playoffs. So we'll be looking at that in the next segment. Next score, Desert Christian Academy, 51, Hamilton 7. So another W. Yeah, another W. 8-0 for the Conquerors, man. I don't think they're gonna lose in a regular season. I've been saying it, and uh I think they're proving me right. So wait no. They're just chugging along, not really having any close games. Um great coaching staff. Great coach and staff, kids are executing, got young talent. That's all you can do. Hey, man, you can only win what's on the schedule, right? People saying they're not playing anybody, but hey, they beat everybody that they played. So that's all you can do. That's all you can do as a team.

SPEAKER_01:

So it'll be interesting how the playoffs are tough.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, but I think we're gonna have a lot more to say about Desert Christian as we get towards the playoffs. It'll just depend on the draw and where they put them. But they can be fun. They get a chance to make a run. We might we might be seeing they might be the last team standing. You know, they're looking good. It's a it's a good bet that they might be the last team standing. Then lastly, uh final score of the week, San Yacento Valley 47, Desert Chapel 41. So it was a close game. Close game. Desert Chapel scores 41 points. Um you should be able to win if you score 41. Yeah, but the thing about Desert Chapel is we've been saying it's always if the defense shows up, yeah. The defense gave up 47. Um, close game though. Desert Chapel's trending in the right direction. I think they probably need a couple more bodies. Yeah, coaches will be out there this awesome.

SPEAKER_01:

Always takes like three years. I don't know how long the coach has been there. I think he's got hired.

SPEAKER_05:

They've only been playing, I think last year was their first 11-man season. Yeah, so they haven't been playing 11 man.

SPEAKER_01:

Year three, I think there's a that's usually when you turn it around.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, and they're just building right now. They've got to get some bodies probably in the school. I don't think the school's a really big population, so they got to get some more bodies in there. Getting closer though. Yeah, getting closer. I think the Desert Chapel give them a year or two. So they're doing that. So yeah, now we just gotta figure out how to get a couple stops. Yeah, and we'll be right there. So we'll be looking for them in the future to be building something out there in Wall Springs. But so that's gonna do it for the week nine wrap-up. We'll be back with the week 10 preview after a word from our sponsors.

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SPEAKER_01:

We thought about it, we went through all the games, and it's it's gotta be Palm Springs, Palm Desert. I mean, you got uh Palm Springs looking like they might win the DEL title this week. I mean, if they went the W. And then, but Palm Desert seems to be peaking at that right time. Um very stingy defense. Uh, it's gonna be a good game, man. So yeah, that's gotta be the game of the week for sure.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, I agree. I think uh Palm Springs going to Palm Desert, that's an advantage for Palm Desert. Um, and like you said, Palm Desert just is clicking. They're they're they're hitting their stride in the in the final couple weeks here, and that's what you want to do with it.

SPEAKER_01:

I think that offense played like it did last week, they're gonna be very hard to beat. So um they looked efficient on offense, defensive already already proven they can play defense week in, week out. So um, yeah, it's gonna be. I mean, obviously Palm Springs 8-0. You gotta give them the favorite. Like they'll probably, you know, you want to chances are they're gonna win, but yeah, it's not gonna be easy.

SPEAKER_05:

But if they get caught, it could be the the Palm Desert team that catches them. You know, if they somebody's gonna somebody could beat them, it it could be Palm Desert.

SPEAKER_01:

It's hard to go undefeated. It's a long season. Yeah, um, that's a lot of greatness, it's a lot of perfect plays, that's a lot of uh good games. Um, so yeah, the pressure's on, it's starting to build. So I'm rooting for him though. I I would love to see a 10 0 team, right? Um, especially in the DL. It hasn't happened a long time. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05:

So and Palm Desert got that defense that can give can at least I think slow down. I don't think you're gonna totally stop Palm Springs. Just they got so much talent. And Bishop Miller's, you know, he's very efficient quarterback. He's gonna, he's gonna get them in the right play and and lead them. But at the same time, Palm Desert does have some talent that can slow them down. So it's it's gonna be an interesting matchup. And from a league perspective, Palm Desert and is basically they can win that game. They're they're right back in contention to win the whole thing. Yep. So, you know. It's a pretty important game from a league perspective. Because if Palm Springs wins that game, they're now 4-0. They got their rivalry game coming. Anything can happen in that rivalry game, but um this is the one that you if you look at the schedule, this is the one that they could the Palm Desert could catch them if the things go their way.

SPEAKER_02:

So if someone's gonna catch them, this is gonna be this week. It's gonna be this week.

SPEAKER_05:

So game of the week, I agree. Uh yeah, we're we're looking forward to that one. Should be an interesting matchup. Can't wait. It's gonna be fun. It's always a good, it's always a good time on those teams. The old they're old DVL rivals from back in the day, you know, from the 80s. And so it's always good to see these guys battling out for a league title. So game of the week for sure. Um, moving on to the preview. Shadow Hills is going to La Quinta. So another interesting matchup, right?

SPEAKER_01:

Always a tough matchup, man. Shadow Hills Laquinta games are always very tough. Um I I think Shadow Hill is gonna come in. Uh, you know, people like to beat La Quinta sometimes, so sometimes those players play extra hard. You know, at least that's what it feels like. Yeah, for sure. Um at the moment, La Quinta looks like they're up on the up and up, uh, their run game, uh, pass games clicking, defense is showing up. Um uh Shadow Hills with uh suspension still kind of finding um I an identity, I guess, without them. Um they came out a little flat last week. I mean, I don't know how to how to sugarcoat it, but it um but if they're Shadow Hills uh team from past experiences, they're gonna come out hard and La Quinta's gonna have to earn it. So yeah, um that's what I'm expecting. So um it's gonna be another a good game. Their offense is is high powered, they can put up points and bunches. Um La Quinta has got a nice running game, so you don't want to get behind if you're La Quinta. So um it's it could be a really tough game.

SPEAKER_05:

So yeah, and I think uh Shadow Hills coming in, they always play La Quinta tough. I don't think if the the records because Shadow Hills and La Quinta guys they know each other, man. Yep, they go to school together, they play you know pop warner together, so they know each other.

SPEAKER_02:

So they're a question of what school you're gonna go to.

SPEAKER_05:

It is, it is, and we're kind of seeing that with some of the kids I coach right now. So it those kids know each other, so they always even though it's not a technically a rivalry game, it's pretty played like a rivalry game because the kids and the coaches all know each other. So I'm expecting a good game. I've said I think the Quinta's favorite, like you said, but Shadow Hills, they got a ton of topics.

SPEAKER_01:

I'm expecting them to come and play, so yeah.

SPEAKER_05:

If they play, if they play up to their capabilities, they can beat anyone. So it'll be an interesting game. It's almost a game that Shadow Hills kind of has to win after last week. So um Lakinta with that one with a win would be right in the driver's seat for second place, or even contending for, depending on how Palm Springs Pawn Desert goes, contending for that league as well.

SPEAKER_01:

Another good game. I mean, it could have been the game of the week too. I mean, it's an interesting matchup for sure.

SPEAKER_05:

We're definitely looking forward to that one. Another DEL matchup uh coming up. Rancho Mirage is going to Xavier Prep. So both teams coming off a little rough uh last week performance. Yeah, they're gonna be both looking to get back on the winning track there.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, uh same thing with uh Rancho Mirage. They had those suspensions and it seems like they're floundering a little bit, but I know Coach Matthew's gonna have those guys ready to go. It's gonna be a tough fought um game. Uh Xavier still looking for a little bit of identity on offense, it seems like defense are stout as always. Yeah, um, I think it's gonna be a good game.

SPEAKER_05:

It should be a good matchup. I think it is. Should be a good matchup. Rancho's gonna have a hard time against that defense um and vice versa. I think uh I think Xavier's gonna, it's gonna be a defensive battle. I'm expecting a little bit lower scoring game in that one.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, for sure.

SPEAKER_05:

Because Rancho still is missing a couple guys, they'll be they'll finally be off suspension in the following week. But the one both of them gotta win. If they want any chance, they want any chance at the playoffs, they both gotta win. So they should be fighting tooth and nail for this one. Yeah, it's gonna be a good game. It's almost like an elimination game.

SPEAKER_01:

So they're all good games, man.

SPEAKER_05:

I can all man. The DEL is tough, man. There's no easy victories in the DEL. And we've been saying it since the beginning. So we're proven, we're proven to be right because there's no there's not a bad team there. Um, moving on to the DVL um this week, the matchups in the DVL, Coachella Valley at 29 palms, going up to that new stadium up there. Coach Johnson coming off the big victory. I know he was excited to go up there for the first time. I think uh CV, impressive, man. They were impressive last week. They look like they're back, they've they're back, and uh they're getting on the room. They were ready to play. They're getting on a roll at the right time, right?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, we got to meet a couple players, Javi Olivia and um and his younger brother Julian. Oh, that's right. Uh they were they were good, man. It was it was fun watching them play. It's it's really interesting when you get to play with your brother on the team, though.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, that's kind of cool, man.

SPEAKER_01:

It's a good memory. That's cool. Yeah, it's gonna be it. It was fun. It was just fun watching them play and enjoy the moment, and it was a big, big victory. And they they were both very important in the in that victory and on that defensive effort. And um, yeah, it was fun. So I I'd probably give them the you know, the you know the edge, the edge in this matchup, but you still gotta go out of town. Uh mountain.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, get on that yellow and go up the bus.

SPEAKER_01:

And 29 is is no slouch, so you have to earn it.

SPEAKER_05:

29. We don't know what's going on if 29 has any suspensions or what's going on with that. That may affect the game, but I think C V's gonna be the favorite regardless, just because of the way that offense looked. They look great in the first half. Yeah, um, they look like the they're being they're becoming C V again, what we're kind of accustomed to in terms of points. Yeah, and their defense was pretty impressive too. I gotta say, the second half they look great. Yucca Valley's good, they can score in bunches. It's a tough offense, they contained it pretty well, definitely slowed them down.

SPEAKER_01:

Hiking did not get off like we're we're we're used to him running, man. He they had him bottled up all night, and um, that's definitely a defensive scheme thing. So yeah, so that's off to them.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, Arabs trying trending in the right direction at the right time. Another DVL matchup this week. Indio is going to, speaking to of Yucca, going up to Yucca. That's gonna be a tough game for Indio, especially Yucca's a little bit upset about their performance. I would imagine. So I believe Aiden Pope may have may break his own record this week and score seven in a game. I don't know. If he does, you know, I wouldn't be surprised. That kid is pretty special talents. Um, but yeah, that's gonna be a tough one for Indio. I think Yucca's gotta get some aggression out on somebody. Yeah. Unfortunately for my Rajahs, it may be it may be our turn to take a beating. But um, yeah, I mean, that Yucca's uh Yucca's pretty gonna be pretty heavily favored favored in that one.

SPEAKER_01:

I would imagine, yeah.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, so that they get back on track and get get get back into the contention for making the playoffs.

SPEAKER_01:

Indio could do, I mean, I I know they're still moving some pieces around. Maybe they can find the right recipe.

SPEAKER_05:

So yeah, but tough tasks. Yeah, we'll see. That's where you know, that's where we they never you never know what's what could happen. It's football. It's high school football. Anything can happen.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, that's what I love it.

SPEAKER_05:

Anything can happen. Um, moving on, so now we'll move on to the Sun Valley League. An interesting matchup here. Desert Mirage is going up the hill to Desert Hot Springs. So Desert Hot Springs, another team that's kind of gonna be a little practicing with a little bit more anger this week because of that one point loss to Banning.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05:

Um Desert Mirage also coming off a tight loss to Cat City. Both are 0-1 in league, so both are basically playing an elimination game this week. They gotta win this game.

SPEAKER_01:

Two different styles of football. You got a running team, and then you got um DHS with the spread scheme, and uh it's gonna be a good matchup, I think.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, and and styles make fights, right? Yeah. So if Desert Mirage can get a little lead and just run lean on that run game, make it tougher, make it tough for Desert Hot Springs. But Desert Hot Springs got so many offensive weapons.

SPEAKER_01:

I'd give them the edge a little bit, you know, but still got to play.

SPEAKER_05:

And they're going up there, which is always always an advantage, going up to somebody else's house and trying to beat them there. Um, and both these teams know each other, they were in the same league last year.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, for a long time they've been playing against each other.

SPEAKER_05:

So it won't be anything new. Everything those coaches know each other very well. Um, yeah, I expect a pretty good game, though. Like I said, elimination game. So you better better bring your A game because this is this is an important one. It's getting close to the end here, and then you'll start getting some W's. That's it. And then I think the Sun Valley game of the week is the next one we're gonna preview. Cat City at Banning. So both teams are one and oh, another stylistic matchup. This game is gonna determine first place in the league with one to go. So it's a very important, very important game. Cat City gonna lean on that run game. Yeah, they're nasty up front, they're gonna try and control Banning's got the explosive explosive, so it's kind of a mirror of that other game where you got a team that runs the ball, tries to take the air out of the game, and then you got a banning team that wants to throw it, you know, 50 times and score 60 points. They throw it a bunch. So, and they got weapons, so yeah, it'd be pretty good for Cat City to control the ball and not let that offense on the field. Yeah, so another style game that's gonna be very interesting. Probably the Sun Valley game of the of the year so far. Winner's gonna be in the driver's seat to win that whole thing. Um, going too banning, I think probably they got a little edge just they're at home. They're they're I I think so too. And Cat City got to get on the road, but Cat City, man, uh impressive job by that coaching staff, man.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah. And like you said earlier in the year, run game travels, man. So uh they can get get get up in points, and and and I know they they love that like that T formation, and I love it too. Right. Um, and then I know they keep their DBs back a lot, so it might help keep keep a lot of the pass game underneath. Um, can they can contain banning? So uh it's good, another good game.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, another good game. It'll come down to who makes the least mistakes. That's why you play. That's why you play. So another interesting game. That game will definitely be one to watch, though, because it's gonna it's gonna have big time playoff implications.

SPEAKER_01:

100%.

SPEAKER_05:

Um moving on to our other games. Uh Desert Christian Academy is going to going at St. Gene, which I don't know too much about, but I do know a lot about Desert Christian, and I do know they've been scoring about 60 points a game. A lot of points. So I don't anticipate that to change. Um, I don't know much about their opponent, but I don't believe that they're gonna stop the Desert Christian training. What do you think in coach?

SPEAKER_01:

No, they yeah, that just they look unstoppable at this point. I mean, uh another team, it's weird that we have two undefeated teams in the desert this late in the season. It's pretty rare. Um pretty cool though. Just you know, enjoy it. If you're you know a player on one of those teams, just really enjoy it because it it is kind of rare. So it's rare, it doesn't happen a lot.

SPEAKER_05:

So enjoy it, but I think uh the party continues for DCA this week. I don't know. I don't see them getting beat, honestly, in the regular season. So for them, just staying healthy is the key at this point.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, and keep getting better though, you know, playoffs can be tough. So yeah, I'm sure there's you know, as a coach, if I was over there, I'm sure there still feels like there's a lot of stuff to get better at. So absolutely.

SPEAKER_05:

You're always you're always looking for stuff as close to get better at. But you know that's our job. That's what we do. So don't get mad at us players if you know we're always on you. Yeah. Um, so we're we're expecting Desert Christian to keep it rolling. And then the last game that we're looking at this week is Desert Chapel at Vasquez. Um, so Desert Chapel got a jump on the road after that close loss at home last week. Yeah, Desert Chapel looking to get that second win. They got a pretty good chance this week. Uh, Vasquez, uh they got that offense rolling. They're scoring a lot of points. It's just if the defense shows up and gets a couple stops for them. That's always gonna be the key.

SPEAKER_01:

Just a couple stops. That's all you need. If you're scoring 50 50 a game, and you just need two stops, you think. Right.

SPEAKER_02:

So just a couple stops, couple one turnover here and there.

SPEAKER_05:

That's all you need. That's all you need, man. Strip the ball. Doesn't travel, get a couple stops, and we're gonna get in that win category, man. So we'll be pulling for you guys. And that's gonna do it for our week 10 preview, coach. Moving on, man. We're getting close to the end here. Yeah, it's been a fun ride, but it's been fun. I'm looking forward now. We can start looking at maybe some playoff matchups next week. I can't wait. It's gonna be fun. So if you guys enjoyed that, you guys know the routine. Like, subscribe, and follow. And we'll see you next time on Desert Valley Blitz.