On Friday, I felt positive that I was on my way to back-to-back perfect weeks with my picks. Then I discovered that Xavier Prep stunned Palm Desert High School and, suddenly, a perfect week of picks went up in flames.
Not that it should have been stunning, though. Xavier Prep beat Palm Desert last year and that was the reason the Aztecs shared the Desert Empire League title with Palm Springs, a team that the Aztecs beat.
Other than Xavier Prep's win, last Friday's games went pretty much as I had imagined. La Quinta squeezed out a win over Rancho Mirage, Desert Christian Academy continued its unbeaten season with a win over Linfield Christian and Coachella Valley won the Date Bowl rivalry over Desert Mirage, a team that has not beaten the Arabs
since 2011.
Multiple people at the La Quinta/Rancho Mirage game on Friday asked me about my picks and some even noted that I was coming off a perfect week (I was 8-0 on Oct. 2). But I still had a feeling that it wasn't going to happen again. There's just too many variables to consider.
I'm not sure how Xavier Prep managed to hold Palm Desert to just three points, but it does make things more interesting in the DEL title race. It was also a reminder, if nothing more than to myself, that I don't have a crystal ball and while I do have information about these teams I don't know how everything is going to play out. That's part of what makes it fun, I think.
For what it's worth, I was 5-1 on my picks last week, bringing my season record to 61-14. Sports editor Shad Powers, who also missed on the Palm Desert/Xavier Prep game and also whiffed on his Date Bowl prediction, went 4-2 last week and is now 49-26 this season.
Here's who we're taking this week:
Thursday's game
Shadow Hills at Palm Desert: Barring some major injuries of which I'm unaware, I'm taking Palm Desert to bounce back here. Shadow Hills is reeling and the Aztecs know that a loss here likely takes them out of the DEL title race.
The score: Palm Desert 35, Shadow Hills 7
Friday's games
Xavier Prep at Rancho Mirage: This has Game of the Week potential because Xavier Prep is 2-0 in the DEL and Rancho Mirage is 0-2, but both teams have realistic playoff aspirations. The Rattlers cannot afford to lose this game and feel good about their playoff hopes, and the Saints can likely secure at least a top three finish in the league with a win. That's huge.
The score: Rancho Mirage 26, Xavier Prep 21
La Quinta at Palm Springs: The Indians' defense has looked rejuvenated the last two weeks, but I don't see the Indians hanging with La Quinta in this vintage matchup. The two most storied programs in the valley always seem to provide the fireworks when they play, but I think La Quinta rolls. The Blackhawks have too much offense.
The score: La Quinta 35, Palm Springs 21
Twentynine Palms at Cathedral City: Here's a big-time game for playoff implications. I think the winner stays in the playoff hunt and the team that loses probably watches their playoff hopes evaporate.
The score: Twentynine Palms 32, Cathedral City 21
Coachella Valley at Desert Hot Springs: Speaking of fireworks. Is there a more explosive matchup in the valley this week? Coachella Valley looks like its old self and it's no secret I've been a big believer in the Golden Eagles this season. I'm going to try to call my shot here and say that this one comes down to the final drive. Let's see.
The score: Desert Hot Springs 23, Coachella Valley 21
Indio at Desert Mirage: Here's the game that I think will decide the winner of the SVL. Indio is coming off a week of rest, but Desert Mirage has likely renewed its motivation after a loss to Coachella Valley.
The score: Indio 20, Desert Mirage 14
Yucca Valley at Banning: Here's another one with Game of the Week potential. Both teams have explosive offenses, so let's expect a shootout. Let's say the first team to 40 wins, and I mean it.
The score: Yucca Valley 42, Banning 34
Desert Christian Academy at Maranatha: I think the Conquerors will experience some early trouble in this one but make the right adjustments and cruise in the second half. Maranatha can be tricky but I think DCA has the edge in overall talent.
The score: Desert Christian Academy 27, Maranatha 15
Andrew's Game of the Week: Coachella Valley at Desert Hot Springs. Everything is coming together for the Arabs. Star quarterback Ivan Garza returned last week and Coachella Valley now has a capable passing and running game with tailback Angel Diaz. That Coachella Valley defense has looked sharp in recent weeks, too.
But there's are a few things that still point to a Golden Eagles win. They'll be at home, coming off a bye week and they've played a tougher schedule in recent weeks than the Arabs have. I just think that those variables give Desert Hot Springs the slight edge.
Shad's picks
Thursday
- Palm Desert 27, Shadow Hills 6
Friday
- Rancho Mirage 16, Xavier Prep 14
- La Quinta 44, Palm Springs 20
- Twentynine Palms 36, Cathedral City 16
- Desert Hot Springs 30, Coachella Valley 20
- Desert Mirage 27, Indio 22
- Banning 49, Yucca Valley 42
- Desert Christian Academy 35, Maranatha 20
Shad's Game of the Week: Yucca Valley at Banning — My guy Coach Josh at Desert Blitz predicts both teams will score 50 in this one, which isn't as crazy as it sounds. Last year these two teams eclipsed 100 points when Yucca Valley won by a basketball score of 62-42. This year, though, give me uber-talented Banning QB Jacob Anzaldua (35 TD passes, to 3 INTs) to make one more big play than the Trojans' offense.
Andrew John covers sports and recreation in the Coachella Valley for The Desert Sun. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com.
Shad Powers is the sports editor at The Desert Sun. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: The Week 9 picks are in! Tough calls with every team now in league play
