A stacked group makes up our 2023 squad

Yucca Valley’s Myles Harper, shown here on Nov. 25, 2023 against Cerritos in the CIF-SS Division 12 title game, was one of the top players in the valley on both sides of the ball this season.

The 2023 high school football season in the Coachella Valley was one of a kind. For the first time, four area teams reached the CIF Southern Section semifinals in their respective divisions. Just one, Yucca Valley, played in a championship game, but the year marked some of the best seasons in the history of some schools.

Rancho Mirage won an outright Desert Empire League title, becoming the first team to ever do that. Yucca Valley won an outright Desert Valley League title and reached the CIF-SS Division 12 title game, ultimately falling in overtime to Cerritos.

Coachella Valley reached the school’s first CIF-SS semifinal since 1968, and Xavier Prep played in just the school’s second semifinal in school history. Desert Hot Springs won nine games for the first time in school history, then won a playoff game for the first time. The Golden Eagles ultimately reached the CIF Division 14 semifinals before losing to St. Monica.

We can’t forget that Desert Mirage won six games for just the second time in school history, marking a big year for the Rams.

Now, the only thing that is left is to cap the 2023 season with our All-Desert Sun team. Our writers who covered more than 50 games this season put their heads together and determined this squad, with some input from local coaches.

Offense

Quarterback: Yanni Padilla, Rancho Mirage, junior

Padilla didn’t start the season as the Rattlers’ starting quarterback, but he ended it as the DEL offensive player of the year. He surprised many teams with his ability to throw the ball deep, and his calm demeanor and poise under pressure was a catalyst to Rancho Mirage winning the DEL title…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/desert-sun-football-stacked-group-222512175.html

Author : The Desert Sun

Publish date : 2023-12-12 22:25:12

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