Coachella Valley football will be even more explosive on offense in 2023

Coachella Valley High School averaged 41 points per game last football season, and 47 points in seven Desert Valley League games to capture the league title. Believe it or not, this year the Arabs could be even more explosive with the ball.

If you ask head coach Bill Johnson, last year was a bit of a down year for the Coachella Valley offense. But this year, it will be the strength of a team looking for its fourth consecutive league title.

While several other teams in the Coachella Valley entering a new era with new head coaches, this year will be a continuation of what we've seen in recent years from the Arabs. It'll be a fast, versatile offense and a defense that, while not a juggernaut, features some of the team's top playmakers.

Last season: 9-1, 7-1 DVL

Head coach: Bill Johnson (21-5, 17-1 DVL in three seasons)

Offense

Back is star running back Aaron Ramirez, who last year as a sophomore led the valley with a school-record 1,873 yards and 30 touchdowns rushing despite missing two full games. At 5-foot-6 and around 150 pounds, Ramirez might be the fastest player in the valley, but he also has deceptive strength, breaks a ton of tackles and gains a lot of yards after contact. Johnson says that Ramirez is "faster, stronger and wiser" than he was a year ago, and is such a threat in open space that he'll also line up at receiver in empty backfield sets this season.

Ramirez will run behind what should be a solid offensive line, led by Rey Peña, Marcos Ceja, Aiden Canó and Adolfo Valenzuela, the key members of the "pancake platoon." The group averages 6-foot-2 and 275 pounds.

Junior Derek Calderon will step in at quarterback, replacing Hugo Sandoval. Calderon, whose nickname is "Favre," likes to sling the ball around, and he has the big arm to compliment a vertical passing attack.

Calderon will have weapons, too. Junior Mikey Rodriguez will move from the slot to the outside, but has the speed and skillset to play all four receiver positions. He's pegged to be a breakout star this season.

Sophomore Ivan Camargo, a track star who is one of the best jumpers in the DVL, will step into the slot but will also play some running back. He's one of the strongest players on the team and has the speed and route running ability to wreak havoc in the passing game with Calderon, Rodriguez and Ramirez.

Defense

Coachella Valley is coming off one of its best seasons, defensively, in school history. The Arabs shut out four opponents and allowed just 8.3 points per game in seven league games.

Three first team all-league defensive players are gone, so it's not a given that the Coachella Valley defense will pick up where last season left off. Some talent remains on that side of the ball, but it will be collectively young.

Senior Isaiah Martinez (29 tackles, 1.5 sacks) is a fourth-year letterman who will lead from the middle linebacker spot. He's quick and aggressive and fearless. Junior Hector Figueroa will lead a group of young defensive linemen.

The defensive secondary looks strong, led by junior safety Frankie Ferratt, a 100-meter sprinter with a ton of speed. Ernesto Recio (32 tackles, one interception) will start again at cornerback, and Rodriguez and Ramirez will also see some time in the secondary.

Coach Johnson says

"Teams are going to be worried about Aaron (Ramirez) and they're going to focus on stopping him and then they're going to find out that we have a lot more than him. This won't just be the Aaron Ramirez show, and we can't wait to show everyone what else we have."

Our prediction

Coachella Valley will be a lot of fun to watch this season. Several teams in the valley have speed and athleticism, but the Arabs could be in a league of their own when it comes to the collective speed, athleticism and versatility of their top three offensive playmakers.

The biggest hurdle that could stand in the way of Coachella Valley having an unbeaten regular season and a deep playoff run is the strength and depth of its defense. The prediction here is that the Arabs' young, relatively inexperienced defense will have some growing pains this season and that will keep things interesting.

Ultimately, I don't know who is going to slow down this offense. So, the Arabs will likely be in every game and have a solid chance of being one of the better teams in the valley this season.

Regular season prediction: 9-1

Arabs 2023 schedule

Aug. 18: at Xavier Prep

Aug. 25: at Palo Verde Valley

Sept. 1: San Jacinto Valley Academy

Sept. 15: Desert Mirage

Sept. 22: Desert Hot Springs

Sept. 29: Banning

Oct. 6: at Yucca Valley

Oct. 13: Twentynine Palms

Oct. 20: at Cathedral City

Oct. 27: at Indio

Andrew John covers sports in the Coachella Valley for The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Coachella Valley football will be even more explosive on offense in 2023