Desert Valley Blitz

CV Hustle Studios
  • 5.0 (1)
  • FOOTBALL

Welcome to Desert Valley Blitz – the podcast dedicated to spotlighting our local tackle football scene. From the youth leagues to Friday night lights and everything in between, we’re bringing you the stories, players, and coaches that make the desert gridiron special. If you love CV football as much as we do, hit that follow and join us on this journey. New episodes dropping soon! 🎙️ #DesertValleyBlitz #CVFootball #CoachellaValleySports #FridayNightLights #DesertFootball”

  1. EP#21-From El Paso To Palm Desert: Building A High School Football Program That Lasts-The Rudy Forti Story

    4D AGO

    EP#21-From El Paso To Palm Desert: Building A High School Football Program That Lasts-The Rudy Forti Story

    Send us a text Football isn’t just a season for Rudy Forty—it’s a family lineage, a craft learned on long bus rides in El Paso and refined across college fields and high school sidelines. We sit down with the Palm Desert head coach to unpack how a second-generation coach builds a durable program in a valley where the heat is brutal, the rivalries are real, and the community shows up every Friday. Rudy walks through the moments that shaped him: lessons from revered mentors at North Texas, the switch from defense to offense, and the blueprint that defines Palm Desert—load the best 11 on defense and engineer an offense that fits the remaining pieces. He breaks down his run-first, quick-game philosophy, why the offensive line anchors everything, and how coaching his son at center simplified calls and elevated the unit’s confidence. We contrast tight-knit valley football with the juggernauts west of the pass, exploring what changes when you face one-school powerhouses with deep rosters and deeper pipelines. The conversation gets candid about the leap from coordinator to head coach. Rudy lays out the hidden work few see: grades, discipline, staffing around off-campus schedules, fundraising, and keeping the clock and the culture on time. We talk defensive identity under a trusted coordinator, the integrity of transfer rules in the valley, and why tradition still matters—from triple-overtime thrillers to alumni-packed field dedications. For coaches climbing the ladder, Rudy’s advice is blunt and valuable: earn your credentials, learn every position, take the jobs others skip, and build trust that holds under pressure. If you care about high school football culture, leadership, and the real mechanics of building a program, this conversation delivers practical insight and a grounded perspective. Subscribe, share with a coach or parent who needs it, and leave a review telling us your biggest takeaway from Coach Forty’s playbook. #highschoolfootball #coaching #footballcoach #texasfootball #northtexasfootball #palmdesertaztecs #headcoach #coachellavalley #desertvalleyblitz #californiafootball

    32 min
  2. EP#20-How A Coach Turned Loss, Grit, And Innovation Into A Winning Program-The David Palmer Story

    JAN 9

    EP#20-How A Coach Turned Loss, Grit, And Innovation Into A Winning Program-The David Palmer Story

    Send us a text A tough childhood in the Inland Empire, a life-altering loss, and a sideline that started with youth flag—Coach David Palmer’s path wasn’t linear, but it forged a leader who builds teams that learn fast and hit faster. We sit down with the Shadow Hills head coach to unpack how he combined humility, aggression, and adaptability to turn a defense-first program into a balanced, high-scoring threat. Palmer walks us through the early years in eight-man football and wrestling, the detour from Navy enlistment to entrepreneurship, and the moment he stepped up to keep a youth team together after tragedy. That sense of stewardship carried forward as he climbed from freshman defense to JV, then varsity, soaking up college-level concepts from mentors like Will Martin. He explains why he embraced a spread, pass-first identity—complete with choice routes and a QB who can extend plays—and how a veteran O-line coach unlocked timing, protection rules, and explosive production that broke school records. On the other side of the ball, Palmer breaks down when and why he shifts from a 3-4 to a 3-5 or 3-3-5, how five-over coverage protects the roof, and why blitzes must arrive from unpredictable depths and angles. He talks candidly about culture: cutting out locker-room negativity, holding firm on grades and attitude, and reaching each player differently to keep buy-in high. For young coaches, his blueprint is blunt and useful—be a sponge, evolve with the game, and chase knowledge over titles. If you’re a coach, parent, or player who cares about building a modern high school program—one that marries scheme with standards—you’ll find real takeaways here. Subscribe, share with a fellow football nut, and leave a review to tell us the biggest change you’d make to your team tomorrow. #highschoolfootball #football #coaching #headcoach #shadowhillshighschool #coachellavalleyfootball #desertvalleyblitz #dbv

    27 min
  3. EP#19- Former Hooper Explains How Competitiveness, Coaching, And Academics Took Him To The NFL-The James Dockery Story

    JAN 2

    EP#19- Former Hooper Explains How Competitiveness, Coaching, And Academics Took Him To The NFL-The James Dockery Story

    Send us a text The moment James Dockery says he didn’t play tackle until eighth grade, you can feel the room lean forward. From Pomona grit to Oregon State swagger to four-plus years in the NFL, his story is less about luck and more about stacking habits that hold up when the lights get hot. We walk through the mentors who nudged him in, the youth coach who bought the cleats, and the way basketball instincts—pressuring guards, timing rebounds—became elite cornerback tools once he embraced contact and technique. Recruiting drama gives way to real decisions: why culture beat branding, why coaching continuity matters, and how a 6'2 corner can build a clearer path than a 6'2 point guard. College felt like a job, and that’s the point—time management, film, meetings, and accountability turned into life skills that employers love. Dockery shares the mindset that carried him: hate losing, dominate where you live, then look outward. It’s a blueprint for any athlete who wants to turn potential into performance, with academics as a differentiator and special teams as a launchpad. When the league arrived, so did the realities—injuries, burnout, and the truth behind “not for long.” He saved, pivoted, and discovered that coaching sparked the same adrenaline he’d been chasing. Back in the desert at Xavier, he built with loyalty, purpose, and an unapologetically tough schedule to attract real football families and sharpen his roster. His advice for young coaches is practical and blunt: start where you’re needed, bring film nuggets to meetings, let consistency earn you more. For players, the message is clear—be coachable, protect your GPA, sacrifice distractions, and build the daily habits that compound. If this conversation gave you fuel, tap follow, share it with a teammate or fellow coach, and leave a quick review to help more people find the show. Your support helps us keep bringing real stories and actionable lessons from the desert to your headphones. #palmdesert #oregonstatefootball #nfl #nflplayer #footballcoach #xavierprep #howtogopro #profootball #oregonstatebeavers #football

    28 min
  4. EP#18-How Coach Bill Johnson Flipped A Football Culture

    12/26/2025

    EP#18-How Coach Bill Johnson Flipped A Football Culture

    Send us a text A packed rivalry game. A struggling program. And a coach who saw both a problem and a blueprint. Coach Bill Johnson of Coachella Valley High School joins us to unpack how a valley-famous turnaround actually happened: a modern offense that matched the school’s athletes, practices designed down to the minute, and an academic backbone that kept classes together long enough to lead. We walk through the pivotal moment when the run and shoot hit the desert and why it resonated with speed, agility, and space-savvy players. Johnson explains how empty sets, quads, and quick screens became more than tactics—they were an invitation for students to see themselves on the field. As numbers grew, so did competition, and the staff doubled down on a weekly planning cadence that treats every drill like a contract: clear objectives, coaching points, and no wasted reps. Add in thoughtful platooning to protect legs and power special teams, and the product became consistent—and hard to defend late. But the quiet engine of the surge was academics. Johnson helped build study halls and close grade tracking so promising freshmen became dependable seniors. That continuity supported a string of quarterbacks—each with a unique skill set—who kept the offense evolving without losing its identity. From the first league title since the 1970s to a semifinal run not seen in decades, the results followed habits, not hype. Johnson closes with candid advice for aspiring coaches: stay a student of the game, learn from mentors you don’t always agree with, and plan before the whistle so your culture shows up every day. If this story sparks ideas for your team or your leadership, tap follow, share it with a coaching friend, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find the show. #highschoolcoaching #football #highschoolfootball #coaching #coachellavalleyhighschoool #deserthotspringshighschool #bellgame #cvfootball

    38 min
  5. EP#17-Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Won’t Work-The Chris Johnson Story

    12/20/2025

    EP#17-Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Won’t Work-The Chris Johnson Story

    Send us a text What if a high school football program could change the trajectory of an entire valley? Coach Chris Johnson joins us to share how he went from Southeast San Diego to the NFL and into a purpose-driven head coaching role at DCA, where “bigger than football” is more than a motto—it’s the operating system. He opens up about meeting his father late, losing his mother, walking on at San Diego State, and clawing from sixth on the depth chart to a four-year starter. Then the pros tested him again: cuts with the Chargers and Vikings, a Grey Cup in Canada, and finally game snaps after week 12. The theme through it all is simple and hard: persistence over polish, structure over slogans, service over status. We dig into why multi-sport athletes develop instincts that translate on Friday nights, how a staff-first philosophy lets coordinators thrive, and the weekly structure that turns belief into execution. Coach Johnson lays out DCA’s vision to become the modern-day standard of the East Valley with a unified pipeline, clinics that welcome rivals, and showcases that remove cost barriers for under-resourced athletes. He’s candid about not taking a football paycheck, raising funds to keep tuition accessible, and building facilities that signal the valley’s talent can stay home and still be seen. You’ll hear the fingerprints of his coaching tree—especially Dan Armstrong’s tough, simple, and loving approach—and the practical blueprint for program building: clear roles, situational practice, honest film, and relentless communication with top coaches around the country. We close with the heart of the mission: help kids believe, build a community that wins the right way, and prove that hard work beats hype when hype clocked out. If you value culture, development, and a vision big enough to lift everyone, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share with a coach or parent who cares, and drop a review to help more listeners find the show. #desertchristian #dca #dcafootball #sandiegostatefootball #nfl #highschoolfootball #chrisjohnson #football #coachellavalley

    27 min
  6. EP16-How Coach Dan Armstrong Built A High School Football Powerhouse Through Discipline And Simplicity

    12/14/2025

    EP16-How Coach Dan Armstrong Built A High School Football Powerhouse Through Discipline And Simplicity

    Send us a text What if a dynasty could be built on just four core plays, ruthless clarity, and seniors who policed the locker room better than any staff meeting? Coach Dan Armstrong joins us to unpack how he turned programs with no field, no seniors, and no tradition into league champions and back‑to‑back CIF winners. We dig into the moment a reluctant assistant became a lifer, the trial by fire against future Hall of Famers, and the culture reset that began by cutting nine no‑shows on day one. Armstrong lays out his blueprint: demand standards everyone can meet and everyone must meet, simplify the offense so the line has only four calls, and dress those same runs with formations, tags, motions, and play‑action. The result is speed and confidence on Friday, not paralysis by playbook. He explains why scheduling national powers sharpened La Quinta for league, helped players earn real recruiting film, and ultimately fueled a streak of 26 straight playoff appearances. You’ll hear how traditions—scholarship walls, touch signs, earned jerseys—made players feel part of something bigger, and how “three perfect plays” at the end of practice set the bar for execution. We talk toughness in a safer era, quarterbacks who block on sweep, and the moment a starting guard won the quarterback job on a single throw. Armstrong’s advice to new coaches cuts through the noise: you’re a teacher first, one standard fits all, some decisions will cost sleep, and simplicity multiplies effort. If you care about building winning culture, developing high school talent, and designing a system that survives turnover, this conversation is your coaching clinic. Hit follow, share this with a coach or player who needs it, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show. #CoachDanArmstrong #laquintafootball #coachinglegend #desertvalleyblitz #coachescorner #lqfootball #coltonfootball

    50 min
  7. EP#15-Three Valley Contenders Fall Short As We Celebrate Their Seasons And Launch Coach’s Corner

    12/04/2025

    EP#15-Three Valley Contenders Fall Short As We Celebrate Their Seasons And Launch Coach’s Corner

    Send us a text Three semifinal dreams, one unforgettable season. We dig into a valley-wide playoff push that showcased grit, growth, and the thin margins that decide November football. Palm Springs’ trip to Barstow set the tone: a 7–0 jump, a missed chance to make it 14–0, and a second quarter where Barstow’s 4–3 front suffocated runs and flipped momentum for good. Sloppy rain and a chewed-up field turned the second half into a defensive stalemate, but the film doesn’t lie—Barstow’s front seven looked collegiate, and one bad quarter became the difference between a storybook finish and a long bus ride home. Palm Desert and Beckman waged a defensive chess match that stayed tight until attrition took over. With AJ Rivera limited, the Aztecs couldn’t lean on their usual inside read, and Beckman’s front squeezed the run fits just long enough for a bruising back to find daylight late. It stung, but it also highlighted how far Palm Desert climbed: a senior-heavy roster that raised the bar and leaves a blueprint for the next wave. Meanwhile, Coachella Valley and Grace lit up the scoreboard, 49–42, in a mirror-match of tempo, RPO layers, and precision throws. Camargo exploded early, Grace answered with a quarterback dropping advanced back-shoulder timing, and the game came down to who had the ball last. Coachella ran out of seconds, not answers. We close by turning the page with momentum, not excuses. Three valley teams in the semifinals is a milestone, especially a year removed from earlier exits. The themes are clear: win the trenches, protect the ball in bad weather, manage red-zone sequencing, and shore up late-game conditioning so four-yard dives don’t become forty-yard backbreakers. And we’re not going quiet in the offseason—Coach’s Corner is launching, starting with legend Dan Armstrong, to pull back the curtain on the philosophies and habits that build sustained success. If you care about smart football, local talent, and stories that sharpen your eye on Friday night, you’ll want to stay close. Subscribe, turn on notifications, and share this with a friend who loves high school football. Drop a review with your biggest takeaway and the coach you want us to interview next. #highschoolfootball #coachellavalley #football #mayorscup #indiohighschool #shadowhillshighschool #palmdeserthighschool #laquintahighschool #coachellavalleyhighschool #palmspringshighschool #xavierprep #ranchomiragehighschool #cathedralcityhighschool #desertmiragehighschool #desertchristianacademy #desertchapel #deserthotspringshighschool #yuccavalleyhighschool #29palmshighschool

    24 min
  8. Ep#14-Bold Calls, Rainy Nights, And Three Desert Teams One Win From The Finals

    11/20/2025

    Ep#14-Bold Calls, Rainy Nights, And Three Desert Teams One Win From The Finals

    Send us a text The valley got loud. A nail-biter in Palm Springs, a weather fight for Palm Desert, and a six-touchdown statement from Coachella Valley turned Week 13 into a showcase of late-season nerve and clean coaching. We felt the season tighten—the quieter practices, the colder air—and then watched three programs punch through with poise. We start with Palm Springs vs Hart, a true playoff classic. Coach Brown’s defense sat patiently in a 30 with two high safeties, baiting Hart away from their favorite throws before flipping the switch into a heavy 50 and cover zero when the clock and field position mattered. Bishop Miller’s composure on a game-deciding two-point try, paired with Koa Rapoa’s two-way surge—running through tackles then jumping to the D-line to pressure the quarterback—captured the essence of November football: trust your leaders, pick your moment, and swing big. Across town, Palm Desert rode out a chaotic second quarter at Patriot, then reset at halftime. Back to the 40 front. Back to sound coverage rules. Back to defensive ends setting the edge and squeezing lanes. With Josh Perez eating tough snaps at quarterback and AJ Rivera returning late like a closer from the bullpen, the Aztecs reasserted their identity and closed strong in the rain. Meanwhile, Shadow Hills ran into a Baldwin Park buzzsaw and the elements, while Yucca Valley’s trip to Grace Christian underscored how a physical ground game can shorten a night and tilt possession. Then came Coachella Valley’s statement: Ivan Camargo rumbling for six touchdowns behind a line that moved bodies, while a disciplined defense kept Paris out of rhythm until late. Their semifinal with Grace (Simi Valley) feels like a mirror—power backs, quick receivers, and tempo that punishes hesitation. We outline keys for all three semifinals: Palm Springs at Barstow’s cold and wind, Palm Desert at Beckman’s size up front, and Coachella Valley’s home-field edge against a long bus ride. If you’re new here, expect straight talk on schemes, players who change games, and why the best teams get bolder as the temperature drops. If you’re riding with us all season, you know the drill—three teams, three paths, one valley ready to make history. Enjoy the breakdown, then tell us who you’re backing this week. If you found value in the show, like, subscribe, and share a link with a fellow fan; your reviews help more listeners find Desert Valley Blitz. #highschoolfootball #coachellavalley #football #mayorscup #indiohighschool #shadowhillshighschool #palmdeserthighschool #laquintahighschool #coachellavalleyhighschool #palmspringshighschool #xavierprep #ranchomiragehighschool #cathedralcityhighschool #desertmiragehighschool #desertchristianacademy #desertchapel #deserthotspringshighschool #yuccavalleyhighschool #29palmshighschool

    36 min
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About

Welcome to Desert Valley Blitz – the podcast dedicated to spotlighting our local tackle football scene. From the youth leagues to Friday night lights and everything in between, we’re bringing you the stories, players, and coaches that make the desert gridiron special. If you love CV football as much as we do, hit that follow and join us on this journey. New episodes dropping soon! 🎙️ #DesertValleyBlitz #CVFootball #CoachellaValleySports #FridayNightLights #DesertFootball”

Information

  • Creator
    CV Hustle Studios
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Desert Valley Blitz
  • Show Website
    Desert Valley Blitz