High school football in the Coachella Valley will kick off on Thursday, Aug. 21. The first Friday night under the lights will come a day later.
It’s still uncertain which players will have the best seasons — though we have an idea based on what players did on the field a year ago.
So, our question to you, the reader, is which of the returning players will be the best offensive player in the valley this season?
Palm Springs’ Jordan Johnson returns for his senior season having rushed for consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Teammate Koa Rapolla scored four touchdowns in six games last year, and was a force both running the ball and catching it.
Then there’s the players from Rancho Mirage, most notably star receiver Jeremiah Johnson and all-league safety Noah Hook, who will move to the tailback spot in an offense that likes to run the ball.
Ivan Camargo takes over for Aaron Ramirez at tailback at Coachella Valley. Camargo ran for more than 200 yards and four touchdowns in a game twice last season. La Quinta’s James Madden Ruberg, who goes simply by “Madden,” is hoping to be back in time for league play after tearing his ACL in the offseason. He ran for 1,450 yards and 14 touchdowns last season as a sophomore.
Jonah Toland of Palm Desert and Brandon Peffers of Shadow Hills are all-league receivers who should also have big senior seasons. Roman Ansley will again play quarterback for La Quinta, where he played well as a junior last season.
Who are you picking as the best offensive player in the valley this season? Here are 10 outstanding candidates. Vote for your favorite in the poll at the bottom of this article at desertsun.com.
Whoever has the most votes at noon on Saturday will be the readers’ choice. Will it match The Desert Sun’s choice? We’ll find out.
Andrew John covers sports for The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Vote for who will be the best offensive football player in the valley in 2025?
Reporting by Andrew John, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
