High School Football

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) Desert Chapel is our tenth high school football preview and second from the Manzanita league. The Eagles look to bounce back from their three-win season last year under head coach J David Miller. 2024 record: 3-6 overall, 2-5 Manzanita league 2025 schedule – all games 7pm August 22 at Desert Mirage BYE September

BERMUDA DUNES, Calif. (KESQ) Desert Christian Academy is our tenth high school football preview and first from the Manzanita league. The Conquerors look to go back-to-back as league champions and make a deeper playoff run under first-year head coach Chris Johnson. 2024 record: 9-2 overall, 7-0 Manzanita league (Manzanita Champions). Desert Christian Academy lost in the

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) Palm Desert is the third team from the Desert Empire League to be featured in our annual team previews. The Aztecs look to defend their DEL title under head coach Rudy Forti, who enters his third year at the helm. 2024 record: 6-5 overall, 4-1 DEL (DEL Champions). Palm Desert lost in

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — Xavier Prep is the second team from the Desert Empire League to be featured in our annual team previews. The Saints look to bounce back from their fourth-place finish in the DEL in 2025 under head coach James Dockery, who enters his ninth season at the helm. 2024 record: 4-5-1 overall,

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) After a graduating class of 26 players, the team here at Coachella Valley High School is going to look different. Still, this year’s class, the class of 2026, is ready to make their mark, hold up the tradition, and win another Desert Valley League title. Bill Johnson, who enters his sixth season

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) After four years of quarterback Michael Ramos Jr., there’s a new sheriff in town for the Trojans in senior Aiden Shannon. Head coach Jeremy Johnson mentioned that Yucca Valley looks to be the same high-octane offense in years past. 2024 record: 4-6 overall, 2-1 DVL Made the playoffs but lost to

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) After a 3-7 finish last year, the Indio Rajahs are tired of finishing in the bottom half of the Desert Valley League. The coaching staff of the Rajahs has preached that they want to earn the respect from the other teams in the valley. 2024 record: 3-7 overall, 1-2 DVL 2025 schedule

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) Twentynine Palms has only won four games in the past three years, and the Wildcats look to bounce back from their one-win season last year. Eric Tili, who enters his fourth season as the head coach, looks to change the narrative and play as one collective unit. 2024 record: 1-8 overall, 0-3

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) Last year’s first-round playoff exit for the Desert Hot Springs Golden Eagles did not let that feeling affect them. Roy Provost, who enters his third year as the head coach for DHS, mentioned that fans should expect the Golden Eagles to play smash mouth football. 2024 record: 6-5 overall, 2-1

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) — After the Lions lost their star running back, Noah Gannon, Cathedral City is keeping the same mindset of being the hardest working team in the valley. Head coach Richard Lee has preached to his players, “it’s time to hunt.” 2024 record: 3-7 overall, 1-2 SVL 2025 schedule Week 1 (8/23)

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) After a disappointing 2024 campaign, the Desert Mirage Rams are looking to be more competitive here in 2025. Head Coach: Jesus Felipe (4th season) 2024 Record: 2-8 overall, 0-3 SVL 2025 Schedule: Week 1 (8/22) Desert Chapel at Desert Mirage Week 2 (8/29) San Jacinto Valley Academy at Desert Mirage Week 3

The Desert Elite Showcase featured the very best varsity players from the entire Coachella Valley. Team West defeated Team East, 28-16, at Indio high school on Saturday night. The game did end early as the referees called the game after an all out fight broke out. The 7th and 8th grade game beforehand was a