A referee summed up what most people were probably thinking Saturday in Bermuda Dunes.
“They said this game was supposed to be close,” the referee said.
The fact that Desert Christian Academy’s 48-7 win over Yucca Valley wasn’t close may have come as a surprise to at least some who were in attendance or following score updates from home. But perhaps it shouldn’t have been a surprise at all.
The Conquerors, after all, extended their regular season win streak to 23 games, dating back to 2024, and the Trojans fell to 0-4 this season.
Still, Yucca Valley has been a playoff team for five consecutive seasons. The Trojans played in a CIF Southern Section final in 2023, reached a semifinal in 2024 and played in a quarterfinal last year. Yucca Valley is
a winning program.
Desert Christian Academy, meanwhile, went 10-0 last year before falling in the opening round of the postseason. There was, rightfully, at least some reason to doubt that the Conquerors would not only win but dominate Saturday’s matchup.
From the opening drive, however, Desert Christian Academy left no doubt that the Conquerors are not to be overlooked when it comes to the top high school football teams in the Coachella Valley.
Within minutes of the opening kickoff, sophomore quarterback Mario Gallo had already connected with twin brother Eusebio Gallo for a 34-yard touchdown catch. The Conquerors intercepted a pass on the second drive, then recovered a fumble and later recovered an onside kick following a touchdown.
from there, Desert Christian Academy rolled.
Mario Gallo then found Javyon Garcia for a touchdown before freshman linebacker Alex Pazos returned an interception 65-yards for a touchdown. Garcia caught his second touchdown pass late in the second quarter and Desert Christian Academy took a 34-0 lead into the intermission.
For the game, the Conquerors intercepted three passes and recovered two fumbles and an onside kick.
The Conquerors move to 4-0 this season. They’ll face Cathedral City next.
Yucca Valley will look to rebound against Xavier Prep.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Desert Christian Academy makes quiet statement in 48-7 win
