Friday Night Lights: Xavier Prep Saints eye bounce back season

The lights are about to shine bright again in the Coachella Valley as Friday Night Lights returns. This week, NBC Palm Springs takes you on a tour around the Valley.

The Xavier Prep Saints faced early adversity last year and never fully recovered. The Saints closed their 2024 season with a 4-5-1 record, missing the playoffs despite having a roster brimming with potential.

Head coach James Dockery, a former NFL player, believes the team is ready to reclaim its championship-caliber defense.

“We’ve got more than 11 guys who love to run around and hit,” Dockery said. “Anyone who’s seen us play in my era knows we have a certain style of defense, and these guys are eager to reestablish that. Last year’s defense was solid, but this year’s squad wants to get back to playoff-level football.”

The Saints will open their 2025 campaign next week on the road against Linfield Christian in Temecula.

As part of our week-long coverage leading into the season, NBC Palm Springs will debut the Friday Night Lights preview show on our website. Fans can visit NBCPalmSprings.com and click the Friday Night Lights tab to watch.

The show will be released Saturday mornings throughout the season.