The 5 most interesting things from Week 7 include two DEL thrillers

League play started with a bang, as two of the three Desert Empire League games went down to the wire.

It was a night that featured eight football games, and all eight were won by desert teams.

Palm Desert

edged Rancho Mirage 20-19in the Game of the Year so far, but it was an impactful night all around the desert.

Here are the five most important things that happened Friday night.

Saints coach gets meaningful win in more ways than one

Down 13-0 at the half at home to Palm Springs, Xavier Prep was looking at an 0-1 start to league play, but the defense rose up and Sam Mourhess, starting his first game at QB after sitting out due to transfer rules, sparked the Xavier Prep offense to a dramatic 14-13 win that could be season-changing.

Mourhess found the end zone with a run, and then was used as a decoy as the Saints scored their second touchdown on a trick play. Mourhess pitched the ball in the flat to Joe Mejia who fired a pass to King Pellum in the end zone to give the Saints the one-point lead that they would never relinquish. The defense took over after that, ending the game with a crucial sack by Ezekiel Fish.

Xavier Prep's Joe Mejia celebrates a touchdown by quarterback Luke Meraz during the third quarter of their game at Xavier College Preparatory High School in Palm Desert, Calif., Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.

The game was crucial in the standings but meant even more to first-year Saints coach Michael Karls who played QB for Palm Springs when he was in high school.

"Being that this was against the school I played for and won a CIF championship with and against coaches that were my coaches, it was a game that meant a lot to me," Karls said. "The first half gave us a lot of adversity, and I challenged them at halftime and they absolutely responded."

La Quinta asserts itself at Shadow Hills

The Blackhawks took care of business on both sides of the ball for a workmanlike takedown of Shadow Hills to open DEL play. The fruits of the labor of the difficult non-league schedule certainly paid off in this one as the Blackhawks had no problem moving the ball or stopping the Knights. It was a pretty clear statement that La Quinta will be a force to be reckoned with as the DEL season moves forward, though tougher tests await.

La Quinta’s Jesse Olloque (18) runs the ball against Central in La Quinta, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.

DVL dominance part II

For the second straight week, the Desert Valley League teams dominated on the way to nothing but victories. Banning was on their bye week, so they didn't get to join in the fun this week, but the other three DVL teams — Desert Hot Springs, Yucca Valley and Coachella Valley — all added easy wins to their ledger.

The Golden Eagles went on the road and pulled away from Indio for a 35-9 victory, showing their skill on both sides of the ball.
Yucca Valley said don't forget about us, winning its third straight game, rolling to a 66-6 win over Cathedral City.
Coachella Valley made it two in a row with a 21-7 road win at Southwest EC.

In two weeks these teams will start playing each other and that will be fascinating.

Conquerors remain a runaway train, crushing everything in their path

Desert Christian Academy may have played its toughest opponent of the season Friday night, but the final score makes it hard to tell. The Conquerors kicked off league play in the Mesquite League, serving notice with a 41-7 win over Ontario Christian.

What makes the Conquerors so tough is they score on any play in a game. On offense, obviously, but also on kick returns and defensive touchdowns. You can be hanging in with the for a quarter and then they hit you with a 21-0 blitz. In Friday's win it was the usual balanced attack. Mario Gallo was 11 of 14 for 203 yards and three TDs. Eusebio Gallo scored twice. Judah Garrison and Nathdaniel Guerrero both had TD catches and Mauro Pazos had a pick six.

The win moves DCA to 6-0 and that makes it 25 straight regular season wins.

Desert Mirage continues historic start with another lopsided win

The Rams had never been 4-1 in school history, so it's simple math to know they have also never been 5-1 which they are now after a 40-6 road win at Calipatria. I'll just say it. I've been in the desert for 23 years and we know most of the years have not been tons of fun for the Rams football team. So it really warms my heart to see them having a year like this.

It will be fun to see where this journey takes them. League play is coming up soon.

Records check

6-0: Desert Christian Academy
5-1: Desert Mirage
5-2: Desert Hot Springs
4-2: Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert
3-4: Indio, Yucca Valley
2-4: Palm Springs, Twentynine Palms, La Quinta, Xavier Prep, Coachella Valley
1-5: Shadow Hills
1-6: Cathedral City