High school football: Desert Hot Springs rises in our Week 4 power rankings

Talk about another wild, unprecedented week of football in the Coachella Valley.

Last week, for the third consecutive week to start the 2023 season, games were canceled either directly or indirectly because of weather. The first week it was lightning that canceled games. The second it was because of a short week of school and practice and roads that were closed due to Tropical Storm Hilary. Last week, heavy rain canceled one game after a field was flooded. What next?

It goes without saying that we hope this week will be better and that all 15 teams from the Coachella Valley will be able to play. Before that happens, let's take a look back at how teams have played in the Desert Valley and Desert Empire leagues and how they seem to be stacking up in the non-league part of the year.

So, with that, here's our valley power rankings heading into Week 4:

1. Coachella Valley

Record: 1-0

This squad was in the top spot last week and didn't play due to flooding, so I'm keen to keep the Arabs here this week. After their second game of the season was canceled, the Arabs were able to schedule what should be a tough make-up game this week in Las Vegas. I like the aggressiveness of going out and finding a game when other teams may have simply enjoyed the bye week entering league play.

2. Xavier Prep

Record: 1-1

Last week's loss to Aquinas wasn't bad as Aquinas had only lost to two of the better teams in the state entering the game. It may have been the toughest non-league game so far among teams in the valley, though that can also be debated. If it hasn't been clear so far this season, I respect this Saints squad and believe they're going to be a threat to win the DEL once league play begins.

3. Desert Hot Springs

Record: 3-0

The Golden Eagles are 3-0 for the first time since 2015 and, whether you believe this team is for real or not, you have to respect how this team has started the season. There's an argument to be made that no team from the valley has been more impressive so far this season, even if Desert Hot Springs has not played the level of competition as some other teams. At this point, there should be little doubt that this team will win at least six or seven games this season, if not more.

4. Rancho Mirage

Record: 1-1

Along with most of the other teams in the DEL, the Rattlers are in the midst of a challenging non-league slate. This week's opponent is Norte Vista, so it won't be easy getting back on track. But Rancho Mirage, perhaps as much as any team in the valley, has talent at the key positions and the pieces to be very good in head-to-head matchups with other valley teams this season.

5. La Quinta

Record: 1-1

The Blackhawks looked great in one game and not great at all in the other, though part of that was due to key players leaving the game with injuries. I think at full strength La Quinta is one of the five or six best teams in the valley, and I like their chances to get back to the CIF playoffs as long as the injuries don't continue to pile up.

6. Shadow Hills

Record: 1-2

Following a convincing win over Indio to start the season, the Knights have lost two consecutive games. The first was a blowout loss to Norte Vista and the second was a rather impressive comeback that fell just short against Yucaipa. This week's opponent is Serrano, a team that was a powerhouse in the high desert for years. If Shadow Hills can generate more offense, they could be very tough to beat during the second half of the year.

7. Cathedral City

Record: 1-0

It's too early to tell if the Lions are for real, but they're unbeaten and haven't allowed a point in five quarters this season. Their first game they outscored Indian Springs 14-0 before lightning canceled the rest of it. Then, following a bye week, they beat Pacific 37-0. Maybe this team should be even higher, but I'm still not quite ready to believe in Cathedral City just yet.

8. Yucca Valley

Record: 0-2

It's pretty wild that Yucca Valley is winless after three weeks of football. As we've written repeatedly, this Trojans squad is stacked with talent but lost its first game of the season to a very good Rancho Christian team, then lost a game it probably should have won against Valley View. In the process, star quarterback Michael Ramos, Jr. and star receiver and free safety Javin Hudson left the game with injuries. This week's game versus Granite Hills won't be any easier if those two are unable to play.

9. Palm Springs

Record: 0-2

It's been a fairly disappointing start for the Indians, who lost their season opener by a point at home to a team that La Quinta cruised against in the playoffs last year. They then lost by 21 points to an Eisenhower team that needed a miracle to beat Palm Springs last season. But this week provides a great opportunity to get on track against a Ramona (1-2) squad that appears beatable.

10. Palm Desert

Record: 0-3

This season won't get any easier for the Aztecs with Yucaipa (3-0) coming to town this week. But Palm Desert has played a tougher non-league schedule than perhaps any team in the valley, which will surely prepare the Aztecs for another league title run. That's still in play.

11. Desert Mirage

Record: 2-0

The Rams have won their first two games of the season for the first time since 2015. They began the season 3-0 that year, which Desert Mirage has a decent chance of doing this week against Hamilton. That would be something heading into the DVL slate.

12. Indio

Record: 0-3

The Rajahs are on a bye this week, and it couldn't come at a better time. Indio has struggled in all three games, but still appears to have the talent to be competitive in the DVL this season.

13. Desert Christian Academy

Record: 1-2

The Conquerors are coming off a narrow 21-13 loss to Desert Mirage. They've been more competitive than Indio but their schedule has also not been quite as tough.

14. Twentynine Palms

Record: 0-2

The Wildcats have been outscored 99-20 in two losses this season. The good news is that they play an 0-3 Rubidoux this week in their final non-league game of the season.

15. Desert Chapel

Record: 0-1

In their first year of 11-man football, the Eagles opened the season last week with a 62-0 loss to Banning, a team that was outscored 52-14 in its two previous games this season. No one said it would be an easy transition, but Desert Chapel has several winnable games on its schedule.

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: Desert Hot Springs rises in our Week 4 football power rankings