The real season begins when league play starts—everything else is just preparation.
This week's episode features special guest Coach Bill Johnson of Coachella Valley High School, who brings his championship experience to break down Week 4 action across the desert. As a four-time DVL champion coach, Johnson offers unique insights into program building, explaining how CV's success stems from a culture where "kids work really hard both on and off the field" and coaches who "love the details of preparing players."
A fascinating pattern emerges throughout our conversation: desert football programs deliberately schedule challenging non-league opponents to prepare for crucial league matchups. "We're playing teams that if we make certain types of mistakes, we'll be punished for it," Johnson explains. "That's what we set up for them." This strategy of "putting ourselves through the fire" is shared by programs like Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and Yucca Valley.
Week 4 highlights included Palm Springs' impressive 49-42 comeback victory over Colton, where quarterback Bishop Miller outplayed a D1 recruit; La Quinta's gutsy 22-21 win against undefeated Hesperia secured by a two-point conversion with 40 seconds remaining; and Shadow Hills' dominant 44-10 performance against Desert Hot Springs.
Looking ahead to Week 5, we preview must-watch matchups including Yucca Valley at Xavier Prep, Palm Springs hosting Yucaipa, and CV welcoming El Centro. We also discuss the upcoming 2026 Valley super conference that will reorganize local teams into tiered divisions, creating new rivalries while preserving traditional ones like the always-electric CV vs. Yucca Valley game.
Whether you're a die-hard football fan or just want to stay connected to local sports, this episode delivers expert analysis, insider knowledge, and the passion that makes desert football special. Subscribe now and join the conversation about the teams and players shaping this exciting season!

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