High School Teams Advance in Basketball Playoffs, Coachella Valley Football Showcase Kicks Off This Weekend

The NFL season may have come to a close, but it's what happens during the offseason that truly sets athletes apart. This weekend, Desert Christian Academy in the Coachella Valley will host a football showcase, bringing together some of the best student athletes from the Valley and beyond. Players will have the chance to learn from top coaches and get a glimpse of what it takes to play at the next level, including insights on recruiting, financial literacy, and coach expectations. The action kicks off Friday night with a camp and a combine, followed by coaching sessions on Saturday morning and a series of exciting challenges, including a lineman’s GOAT challenge. The weekend will conclude with a seven-on-seven team challenge. It's a fantastic opportunity for players to learn from the best in the business.

For those still interested, there’s time to sign up—just visit the event's Instagram page. Players like NFL legend Marshall Faulk are confirmed to help coach participants on their path to greatness.

In local high school sports, five of the six Coachella Valley teams are moving on to round two of the playoffs, with games taking place Friday night. Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Coachella Valley, and Indio all made it through to the next round, setting up an exciting match-up where Rancho Mirage will travel to Palm Springs and Coachella Valley will visit Indio. Palm Desert, the lone Valley team on the road, will face Linfield Christian out of Temecula. All games will tip off at 7 p.m.

Finally, the California Winter League wraps up at Palm Springs Stadium this weekend, with the semifinals scheduled for Saturday and the championship on Sunday. Saturday will also feature a special promotion—$3 beers—perfect for enjoying the sunny weather. Tim O'Brien will also throw out the first pitch before game two at 12:30 p.m.

It’s shaping up to be a thrilling weekend of sports action in the Valley!