Ask coaches around the Desert Empire League and even they have no idea which teams will rise to the top this year.
They really don't have much of an opinion, oddly, on how the league will play out this season. You'd think that Palm Desert, which is aiming for a third consecutive league title, would get a lot of mentions. But the truth? The Aztecs lost some big-time players. So did Palm Springs, the 2025 co-champs.
Everyone lost someone big, if we're being honest. But at Xavier Prep and Shadow Hills, there's excitement around new coaching staffs and at Palm Springs, Palm Desert and La Quinta, there's a belief that the momentum and confidence that came from last year's top three teams could spill over into this year.
At Rancho Mirage, a team that
won back-to-back league titles in 2023 and 2024, there's nowhere to go but up after what felt like a fluke last-place finish last year that included some injuries and suspensions to key players. The Rattlers could very easily rise to the top with the young talent returning.
Here's what you should know about each team entering 2026:
La Quinta Blackhawks
Head coach: Ramon Ruiz (27-18 in four seasons)
2025 record: 7-4 (3-2 DEL)
Key returners: Senior running back Colton LaCrone and junior offensive lineman Mason Geiger were each first team all-league selections last year.
Offense: La Quinta’s run-first approach will be led by LaCrone who, at 5-foot-10 and around 190 pounds, is a bruising back who could be the Blackhawks’ next great rusher. He'll be one of several rushers for the Blackhawks.
The run game will benefit from having a solid offensive line. Geiger is back, in addition to Dylan Hawke, another lineman who was second team all-league last year. Senior tight end Ryan Jones, a second team all-league selection, is back, too. Ruben Samano-Ayon is another returning starter on the line.
Junior Mason Flores will replace Roman Ansley at quarterback. He’s a dual-threat who has grown up as a coach’s son, as his dad is longtime assistant coach and current athletics director Ryan Flores.
Alfredo Castro, second team all-league athlete Caleb Hartwell, returning starter Brody Gleeson and 6-foot-2 Jesse Olloque give Flores a dynamic group of receivers to give La Quinta’s offense much more balance than a year ago.
Defense: LaCrone, who was also a first team all-league linebacker last season, will also lead the Blackhawks’ defense.
On the defensive line, Jones and junior Santiago Rodriguez-Garcia have each had a big offseason in the weight room and should be a difficult combo for opposing offensive lines. Rodriguez-Garcia will play more on the interior and Jones more on the edge.
The defensive backfield will be athletic, with Castro leading the group from the cornerback spot. Hartwell could also be a special talent in the backfield.
Remember the name: Castro is a player we'll be watching closely as he has the chance to influence the Blackhawks heavily on both sides of the ball. La Quinta wants to have a more balanced offense, and Castro is the kind of explosive receiver who helps make that possible.
Palm Desert Aztecs
Head coach: Rudy Forti (17-17 in three seasons)
2025 record: 9-4 (4-1 DEL)
Key returners: Senior receiver Trey Boulton was a first team all-league selection last season. Senior Ty Wiltrout was a second team all-league selection at linebacker.
Offense: Boulton should again be one of the top receivers in the valley and should be the go-to target with the graduation of record-breaking receiver Jonah Toland. Joining Boulton in the receiving corps is Rex Meyers and La Quinta transfer Simon Simonian. Wiltrout is a huge target at tight end, standing 6-foot-7.
Joshua Perez replaces record-setting quarterback AJ Rivera, who was the league’s co-offensive player of the year last season. Perez looked solid when he filled in for Rivera, who was injured, during part of the Aztecs’ run to a CIF Southern Section semifinal last year.
At running back, look for Drew Pham and Xavier Prep transfer Anderson Acosta to provide a solid one-two punch. The offensive line will be led by 6-foot-2, 250-pound left tackle Zygi Kalanta.
Defense: The Aztecs boasted the best defense, according to points allowed (68), in five league games last season. But several key players from that team graduated, so while the system is in place it’ll be interesting to see which players step up to fill the void.
Wiltrout should lead the defense for his dad, defensive coordinator Aaron Wiltrout. The younger Wiltrout really stood out last season, and he figures to step into even more of a starring role this year.
Jacob Cohn should be one of the top cornerbacks in the valley, and he’ll help lead a talented but relatively young group in the defensive backfield that includes La Quinta transfer Jayceon Caldwell.
Remember the name: Perez has huge shoes to fill this season, replacing a record-setting quarterback. But he played with such poise and confidence in the playoffs last season that if there's one quarterback in the valley who we believe is ready to step into a starring role, it's Perez.
Palm Springs Indians
Head coach: Darryl Goree (17-16 in three seasons)
2025 record: 11-2 (4-1 DEL)
Key returners: Junior receiver Tyler Hebrard was a first team all-league selection last year and sophomore linebacker Kaylaun "Tank" Smith was a second team all-league selection.
Offense: The Indians graduated quarterback Bishop Miller V and four-year starters Jordan Johnson, a running back, and Koa Rapolla, who played running back and receiver. Their loss should be significant for Palm Springs.
Smith, who also played running back last year and is one of the top returnees in the valley, will start the season on the sideline after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. He's expected to miss 4-5 games.
But Hebrard is back, and he and another starting receiver from last year, Sean Meza, should be a dynamic receiving duo for new starting quarterback Devon Sessions.
Defense: Smith will lead the defense from the linebacker spot upon his return. Until then, junior middle linebacker James Talavera will be the face of the defense. He's an intense player who has experience and should be a leader from the first game of the season.
Hebrard should be one of the top cornerbacks in the valley, and Meza will take his exceptional ball skills to the safety position on the defense.
The rest of the defense is largely unproven, with just a handful of seniors.
Remember the name: Ian Arroyo. He's an athletic lineman who moves from tight end to tackle, and he's turned a lot of heads during pre-season camp with his size, mobility and ability to learn the position quickly.
Rancho Mirage Rattlers
Head coach: LD Matthews (66-61 in 13 seasons)
2025 record: 3-7 (0-5 DEL)
Key returners: Jadarius Hester started at receiver last year as a freshman and Jesse Valle was one of the fastest players in the valley last year as a freshman.
Offense: Many of the faces on the Rattlers’ offense will be different this year, but several youngsters are back after playing as freshmen in 2025. Hester and Valle, who’ll play some tailback and receiver, are among them. Valle ran a 10.74-second 100 meters during the track season, 4.4-second 40 speed on the field.
Senior Cael Woody gives Rancho Mirage a solid option at quarterback. He has a good arm and can run a bit, too, though he'll be more of a pocket passer than the Rattlers have typically had in the past.
Xavier Washington is another sophomore receiver with speed and athleticism and Reid Keane is a 6-foot-2 tight end with good hands.
On the offensive line, the Rattlers are solid on the interior, with center Diego Escobar and tackles Leo Gutierrez and Jayden Buelna offering size and experience.
Defense: Sophomore Josiah Casillas was a first team all-league athlete last year. He’ll play safety, with Valle.
Washington will play cornerback, Keane will play on the edge, and Jayden Lopez is a player to watch at middle linebacker.
On the defensive line, Santino Petrovich may be a bit undersized but he’s an active senior who can get into the backfield quickly.
Remember the name: Valle is just a sophomore but his speed gives him a huge advantage. He'll play on both sides of the ball and likely on special teams, so if there's a guy whose going to be vital to the Rattlers' success this season, it could be Valle.
Shadow Hills Knights
Head coach: Nick King (first season)
2025 record: 6-6 (2-3 DEL)
Key returners: Senior quarterback Jesse Rodriguez set the school single-season record for passing yards (2,844) and touchdowns (27) last year.
Offense: The Knights’ offense will center around Rodriguez, who was a second team all-league selection last year after leading Shadow Hills to a playoff win. He’ll have a big offensive line, led by senior center Albert Tijerina.
Starting running back Damian Walls returns, as does senior slot receiver Reef Avergonzado, a small but explosive playmaker who’ll also return kicks. Coaches are excited about receivers Justin Gray and Zay Woodson, a pair of talented players who also provide experience.
Defense: Junior Julian Maldonaldo, a returning starter, will lead from the middle linebacker spot. He has the chance to be the next great linebacker at Shadow Hills, coaches believe.
Senior Aiden O’Malley, who’s had a strong offseason, will play on the edge.
Gray will return to start at cornerback, and Woodson at safety.
Remember the name: The expectation here is that Avergonzado will be must-see this year because of his speed and elusive abilities. The fact that he has a quarterback who should have no problem getting him the ball makes him one of the offensive players in the valley who should have an explosive year.
Xavier Prep Saints
Head coach: Michael Karls (first season)
2025 record: 6-4 (2-3 DEL)
Key returners: Senior edge rusher Jacob Vann was a first team all-league selection, along with senior defensive back Luke Vermillion.
Offense: Desert Chapel transfer quarterback Samuel Mourhess (3,096 yards, 24 touchdowns) stands 6-foot-4 and can really sling the ball. His addition gives the Saints some intriguing options on offense.
Two-year starting quarterback King Pellum, who stands 6-foot-2, is one of the best athletes in the valley and will play all over the field — mostly at receiver and potentially at quarterback, when needed.
Seniors Trey Creek-Pellum and Joe Mejia were the Saints’ top receiving targets a year ago. Expect Creek-Pellum, Mejia and sophomore speedster Jaydan Lewis and senior Nate Guerra to be among a committee of players carrying the ball out of the backfield.
Mourhess should have a solid offensive line, led by junior right tackle Javier Angulo, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighing 290 pounds.
Defense: Vann, a 6-foot-4 Fresno State commit, may be the top player in the valley this season. He recorded 55 tackles and 12.5 sacks in 10 games last year. He and junior edge rusher Zeke Fish should be a devastating combo up front.
Xander Gonzalez is another defensive lineman who coaches believe will be disruptive.
Vermillion, a versatile playmaker who recorded 57 tackles, is generally regarded as one of the valley’s top defensive backs. Creek-Pellum, Pellum and Lewis will also pay in the defensive backfield.
Expect junior Santino Cannone (101 tackles) to be among the top linebackers in the league.
Remember the name: While Vann is the clear star on this team, Mourhess is a player you should really get to know. His size and production from last year is impressive, but seeing how he does against better competition will be fun to watch. Don't be surprised if he is among the top quarterbacks in the valley this year.
Andrew John covers sports for The Desert Sun. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: DEL football preview: All six teams capable of a league title in 2026
