Inside the Win: Desert Hot Springs defense, offensive duo earn Week 9 shutout win

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Week 9 of high school football is in the books, and all teams have entered league play. This week, Desert Valley and Sun Valley kicked off their league play. For the DVL, Friday night was headlined by Coachella Valley at Desert Hot Springs.

It was a matchup of the East and West teams, each looking to start league play on top. Desert Hot Springs ultimately came out with the win, earning a dominant 48-0 victory.

For the Golden Eagles, their defense was the story of the game. They managed to shutout the Arabs and keep them from running the ball in critical moments.

"Defense obviously play lights out with the shut out," head coach Roy Provost said. "They're a cohesive unit...they're going to make them run and we're going to stop them from running. And they proved that tonight."

It was necessary for the Golden Eagles defense to step up, as the offense took a little more time to find its rhythm.

"Offense, it took a little minute for us to really get into it, but we got into it," senior quarterback Jaylen Turner said. "The defense, amazing job. And that's how we got one of the best defenses."

One duo that's always clicking on Desert Hot Springs offense, is Turner and senior running back Anthony Hodge. So far this season, Hodge leads the team in rushing yards, averaging 66 yards per game.

"A3 [Anthony Hodge] He's the guy, man," Provost said. "He's got that that special, a special talent."

For Turner, his bond with Hodge goes beyond the field. It's no wonder they connect effortlessly every game.

"That's my cousin," Turner said. "People don't know that Anthony Hodge is my cousin. He's an amazing player. It took a long time for us to see that, but he's amazing player."

Desert Hot Springs next game is Oct. 23 at home against Banning. Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of high school sports and for Inside the Win with Kendall Flynn every Saturday.