High school football: 30 valley players to keep an eye on entering 2024 season

With high school football teams around the Coachella Valley wrapping up spring football, we’re now just three months from the 2024 prep football season.

It’ll be the encore to what may have been the most eventful season we’ve had here in the valley, with tropical storms flooding fields, lightning canceling games and four teams reaching the CIF Southern Section semifinals in their respective divisions.

While many of the stars of the 2023 season are either graduating or transferring this spring, there are still loads of talented, experienced players from the valley who are set to return this season.

Here's 30 players we are watching who should be impactful for their teams leading up to the first kickoffs on Aug. 23. We compiled this after consulting Desert Empire League and Desert Valley League coaches and considering our own observations from last season.

(in alphabetical order)

Dominic Ambal, Desert Hot Springs

An incoming sophomore, Ambal started from the beginning of the 2023 season and was a part of the Golden Eagles' run to the CIF-SS Division 13 semifinals despite only being a freshman. Listed at just 5-foot-5, what Ambal lacks in size he makes up for with speed and athleticism.

With Desert Hot Springs graduating 18 and losing two other starters to transfer, Ambal will be a captain this year and will step into more of a starring role at wide receiver and defensive back.

Jackson Bishop, Palm Desert

Bishop, an incoming junior, was a first team All-DEL selection as a defensive end as a sophomore last season. That's impressive. He recorded 86 tackles, including seven for loss, to go with 3.5 sacks in 2023.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, Bishop has the size to again be a terror as a pass rusher. He has a lot of upside as an underclassman who probably hasn't reached his ceiling as a player quite yet.

Derek Calderon, Coachella Valley

A senior in the fall, Calderon led the valley in passing yards (2,405) and passing touchdowns (28) and helped guide the Arabs to the CIF-SS Division 12 semifinals last year.

Calderon is a slinger who can throw the deep ball with accuracy, and he has the offensive weapons around him to again have another big year.

Noah Contreras, Xavier Prep

Contreras, a second team All-DEL selection last year as a junior, should step into more of a leadership role this season as arguably the Saints' best and most experienced lineman.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds, Contreras has the size and physicality to dominate opposing linemen. He'll be a player to whom the Saints look as they seek to again set the bar high for their physical play on the field.

Cameron Dungy, La Quinta

A senior in the fall and a second team All-DEL selection last season, Dungy should be the leader of the Blackhawks' offensive line from the center position this season. Expect him to again play a key role in the La Quinta run game, which was dominant in 2023.

Gabriel Duran, La Quinta

The reigning DEL defensive player of the year is expected to return for his senior season, and his physical and aggressive play on the defensive line should make La Quinta a favorite to win the DEL.

Duran finished the season with 37 tackles and six sacks, but could have an even better year in 2024.

Frank Ferratt, Coachella Valley

Ferratt, a senior in the fall who was an All-DVL and All-CIF selection last year playing safety, is the fastest player on the team in the 100 meters. Yes, it’s true. Even faster than teammates Aaron Ramirez and Mikey Rodriguez, according to Bill Johnson, the Arabs head coach.

Ferratt is also arguably the most versatile defender in the valley. He can play either safety spot, cornerback, both inside and outside linebacker and can also line up on the edge and rush the quarterback if needed, and he’s a big-time hitter.

Kobee Finnikin, Rancho Mirage

Finnikin, who stands 6-foot and weighs around 165 pounds, returns for the DEL champs as a two-way starter who should have an even better 2024. He'll again play receiver and cornerback for the Rattlers.

Last year as a sophomore, Finnikin, caught 35 passes for 565 yards and six touchdowns and was an All-DEL performer on both sides of the ball.

Noah Gannon, Cathedral City

The incoming senior and third-year starter will be the featured player this season for the Lions. Gannon, a first team All-DVL selection last season, scored in the run game, the passing game and also scored three times in the return game.

The 5-foot-8, 185-pound running back and safety is expected to get even more touches. It should be fun to see what he can do.

Zach Gibbs, Palm Desert

Gibbs, who will be a senior, recorded 134 tackles in nine games last season, which was a whopping 14.9 per game. He also recorded three sacks for the Aztecs. There's a lot to like about him as a player.

Gibbs will enter the season as one of the top defensive players in the DEL and the leader of the Aztecs. His play will stand out even more if he can help lead Palm Desert back to the playoffs after an absence in 2023.

Jeremiah Johnson, Rancho Mirage

Johnson is one of the best athletes, in any sport, in the valley. He won the long jump at the DEL track finals this spring, setting the school record in the process, and his straight line speed is also among the best in the league.

The incoming junior will return to play receiver for the Rattlers this season, and he'll surely be a big play threat. He caught 26 passes for 426 yards and four touchdowns last year. He has the athletic upside to have a big year on the football field.

Jordan Johnson, Palm Springs

A junior in the fall, Johnson returns as an all-league first team performer at running back. Last season, the 5-foot-9, 185-pound Johnson ran for 1,068 yards and 13 touchdowns, which was one of the more prolific seasons running the ball in the history of Palm Springs High School.

Expect Johnson to enter the season with even more confidence and swagger, and within an offense that should revolve around him.

Angel Lavalley, Coachella Valley

An All-CIF selection in Division 12, Lavalley is the “heart and soul” of the Arabs’ defense, head coach Bill Johnson said. As a junior last season, Lavalley was recognized by DVL coaches with a first team all-league selection playing a hybrid of safety and outside linebacker.

With Coachella Valley facing Xavier Prep and Rancho Mirage this season in the non-league slate, and with the Arabs looking to make another postseason run, Lavalley will again step into a starring role.

Ramses Lua, La Quinta

Lua, a defensive end, was an All-DEL first team selection last year as a junior. His presence should again help La Quinta to have one of the better defensive lines in the valley.

Expect Lua's versatility to make him one of the most impactful defensive players in the DEL this season.

Jesse Martinez, Indio

Martinez was an All-DVL first team selection last year, and figures to again be one of the top linemen in the valley. At 6-foot tall and close to 250 pounds, the rising senior plays with a physicality that set the tone for the Rajahs a year ago.

Expect Martinez to also get reps this season on the defensive line, where Indio has been dominant the last two seasons.

Austin McDanel, Xavier Prep

McDanel will return for his senior season as one of the top two-way players in the valley. An all-league first team defensive player at safety, McDanel tallied 95 tackles, three interceptions, a fumble recovery, and a defensive touchdown to go with 409 rushing yards and four scores at running back.

McDanel, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs around 170 pounds, then reached the CIF-SS finals in the 110 hurdles this spring. He runs a 4.51 40-yard dash and figures to play an even more prominent role on offense this year.

Aiden Nsubuga, La Quinta

After missing most of last season with a lower leg injury, the 2022 first team All-DEL selection will return for his senior season this fall. Nsubuga, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs around 195 pounds, ran for 1,575 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Nsubuga should be one of the top two-way players in the valley this season. He was a defensive playmaker as a sophomore, scoring a pair of defensive touchdowns, and if healthy he should again start in the defensive secondary.

Ayden Ogilvie, Twentynine Palms

Ogilvie, an incoming senior who will likely start on both sides of the ball, has size (6-0, 185) and skills to be a playmaker this season in the DVL. It'll be interesting to see how the Wildcats respond from a 1-9 finish last season, and if they can make any kind of noise, expect Ogilvie, an All-DVL honorable mention last season, to play a big role.

Yanni Padilla, Rancho Mirage

Padilla, who will be a senior, returns as the reigning DEL offensive player of the year. He'll again be a leader of a team that should be the favorite to win the league this year.

Last year, the 5-foot-11 quarterback showed incredible arm strength and an ability to also make plays with his feet for the DEL champs. Padilla finished the season with 1,401 yards and 14 touchdowns, throwing just six interceptions, in eight games, and finished the season by throwing for 273 yards and three touchdowns in an overtime playoff loss to Sonora.

Jesus Pazos, Xavier Prep

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound incoming senior returns as one of the unquestioned leaders of a group that reached the Division 10 quarterfinals last season. Pazos is a two-way player who should again star at running back and linebacker.

Last season, Pazos ran for 446 yards and seven touchdowns, while racking up 158 tackles.

Aaron Ramirez, Coachella Valley

The 5-foot-6, 150-pound running back was the CIF-SS Division 12 offensive player of the year, and he’s on track to break all the major rushing records in the valley this season.

Ramirez, who will be a senior, ran for 2,528 yards (seventh in the state) and 34 touchdowns last season, while catching 37 passes for 715 yards and six more scores last year. He also returned a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns.

Michael Ramos, Jr., Yucca Valley

Ramos, an All-DVL quarterback, is the top returnee for the Trojans. The incoming senior has started under center since his freshman season, and was a big part of Yucca Valley's run to the CIF-SS Division 12 championship game last season.

In 30 career games, Ramos has thrown for 4,690 yards and 54 touchdowns, and has run for 799 yards and 20 additional scores.

Koa Rapolla, Palm Springs

As a sophomore, Rapolla was a first team All-DEL selection as an athlete on both offense and defense. Perhaps no player is more versatile on both sides of the ball in the entire valley.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound junior should be a major player again on both sides of the ball for what figures to be an improved Indians squad.

Adrian Rodriguez, Desert Mirage

Rodriguez is an incoming senior who will be the bigger, physical receiver that the Rams like to use as a blocker on the outside to aid their run game. He could also be a major factor when Desert Mirage looks to throw the ball.

Expect the Rams to again have a strong run game, with a rotating running back by committee, and for Rodriguez to play a major role in that as both a leader in the huddle and in the locker room.

Mikey Rodriguez, Coachella Valley

Rodriguez, an incoming senior who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs around 160 pounds, is one of the valley’s top receivers, defensive backs and kick returners. An All-CIF Division 12 selection last year, Rodriguez caught a school single-season record 69 passes last season for a valley-leading 1,054 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.

For the season, Rodriguez caught eight passes that were at least 50 yards long, intercepted three passes and returned a kickoff for a score.

Michael Silva, Indio

Look for Silva, an All-DVL selection last year as a junior, to play a key role for the Rajahs on both sides of the ball this season. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound incoming senior led Indio in receiving last season, and also recorded five sacks from the defensive end position.

It's worth noting that Silva was clearly one of the best players on the field in games against Coachella Valley and Yucca Valley, the top two teams in the DVL last season.

Chief Togafau-Paleafei, Palm Springs

While only an incoming sophomore, Togafau-Paleafei might be the best lineman in the valley this season. He already has scholarship offers from Utah, Arizona and San Diego State.

At 6-foot-3 and around 300 pounds, Togafau-Paleafei will be a force on both the offensive and defensive lines this season and should help the Indians compete for a playoff berth after failing to qualify for one last season.

Jonah Toland, Palm Desert

Toland, who will be a junior, will have a prominent role in the Aztecs' offense this season from the wide receiver position. He's shifty, shows great balance, has good game speed, and has the tools to be a big playmaker in space.

If the name rings a bell, you might recall that Toland's older brother, James, played running back at USC after starring at Shadow Hills.

Pedro Trujillo, Shadow Hills

Trujillo, a first team All-DEL selection last season, is an incoming senior and one of the most versatile players in the valley. He's played quarterback and running back during his high school career. Out of the backfield, he also caught 42 passes for 519 yards and four touchdowns last season.

Trujillo, who's expected to return to quarterback, will likely be the heart and soul of the Knights this season, and a leader in the huddle.

Jeremiah Williams, Rancho Mirage

Williams, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound running back, returns for the DEL champs as one of the top offensive playmakers in the valley. Last year as a junior, Williams ran for for 918 yards and 12 touchdowns in nine games.

Few players in the valley blend the kind of elite strength, speed and versatility as Williams, who should have an even bigger year in 2024.

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: 30 Palm Springs-area high school football players to watch during 2024 season