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As part of National Intern Day, NBC Palm Springs is proud to spotlight one of our own — intern Lane Forti — who returned to his roots for a special assignment that hits close to home. A graduate of Palm Desert High School, Lane revisited his alma mater this week to check in on the Aztecs football team as they prepare for the upcoming season. Fresh off a shared Desert Empire League title last year, the team is hungry to claim the crown outright this fall.

“We didn’t waste any time getting to work,” Head Coach Rudy Forti told Lane. “We’ve been lifting, getting stronger, and just doing the football things that’ll get us ready to compete again.”

The returning defensive front is expected to be a major strength, and coaches say the leadership core is already showing signs of maturity on and off the field. “There’s still a long way to go to get where we need to be,” said Head Coach Ray Forte. “But the energy is right, and the focus is there.”

In a memorable moment during the segment, Lane interviewed Coach Forti — who also happens to be his father — making for a touching full-circle moment on the field Lane once played on.

Palm Desert Football Gears Up for Season