Notebook, check, tape recorder, check, rubber raft, check

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Some time in the next few weeks, I plan to spend a weekend in the Coachella Valley, soaking in rays at my parent’s condominium and, er, I mean, catching up on some Desert Valley League football.

Athletes from this area are known for hitting a three-wood pretty well, but I’m still wondering if they can lay a lick on a 210-pound running back. Based on this list of top players in the area, it looks like La Quinta, Palm Desert and Palm Springs have some of the best talent in the low desert.

Coachella Valley, with only one returning starter on defense, might have the toughest nonleague schedule with games against top 25 foes Los Alamitos on Thursday at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach and against visiting Vista Murrieta on Sept. 21

- Dan Arritt