Friday Night Lights: Rattlers chase third-straight DEL title

The countdown to Friday Night Lights is almost over - just one week remains until high school football returns to the Coachella Valley.

As part of our preseason tour, we stopped at Rancho Mirage, where the Rattlers are gearing up for a run at their third-consecutive Desert Empire League Title.

Last season, Rancho Mirage finished with a 6-5 overall and 4-1 in league play, securing the DEL crown despite battling through significant adversity. The Rattlers had lost nine starters to injury early in the season, forcing major lineup adjustments.

This year, the roster will feature few underclassmen in starting roles — but as last season proved, things can change quickly.

Head coach LD Matthews has a clear message for his team as they begin their 2025 campaign:

“Humble yourself, because it doesn’t matter what you did last year or didn’t do last year — it’s a new season,” Matthews said. “The players who stay humble and hungry are the ones who will get rewarded. Every game last year was close; in the fourth quarter, any team could have won.”

The Rattlers will open the season next Thursday, August 21 at home against Christian.

NBC Palm Springs will continue to showcase the valley’s top teams all week as part of our Friday Night Lights coverage. Our Season Preview Show will premiere on NBCPalmSprings.com this weekend and across our social media platforms, offering exclusive interviews, player spotlights, and a fresh new look for 2025.