Prep football notes: Rajahs moving in right direction

The Indio High School football team's winless record is deceiving.


Just ask Chaparral.


One year after leading the Rajahs 48-0 at halftime, the Pumas trailed Indio 10-0 after two quarters Friday before coming back to win 28-10.


The stark difference illustrates how Indio (0-5) has come together as a team since last year's 2-8 campaign and hopes to shake up the Desert Valley League when play begins Friday.


“I think a lot of teams have underestimated us because of what we did last year,” Indio coach George Thomas said.


Despite beating Hemet in 2010, the Rajahs were outscored by a combined score of 208-48 in five non-league games.


This season, the same five opponents have only outscored them by a combined total of 166-105.


Thomas said the turning point this season occurred in the Rajahs' third game when they took on San Jacinto, which boasted more size.


But led by an experienced offensive line opening up more holes in the running game and an improved defense, Indio was competitive, trailing only 14-13 at the end of the third quarter en route to a 27-13 loss.


Thomas noticed a change in the team's demeanor.


“For the first time, we saw guys laying it down for other guys on the team instead of an individual attitude,” he said.


That new spirit carried over in defeats at home to Apple Valley and Chaparral, and Indio hopes it translates into victories in the DVL.


Unlike Coachella Valley last year, the Rajahs won't be eligible to earn the one at-large berth in the CIF Southern Section Central Division. A team has to finish at least 5-5 to be considered.


“Our goal is to take third,” Thomas said. “The first opportunity starts Friday.”


To accomplish that, the Rajahs will have to stop their lengthy losing streak against the DVL's perennial contenders. They have lost nine consecutive times to both Palm Springs and Palm Desert, and they are 1-15 all-time against La Quinta. That lone victory happened in the Blackhawks' inaugural varsity season in 1995.

Source: http://www.mydesert.com/article/20111012/SPORTS0603/110120312/Prep-football-notes-Rajahs-moving-right-direction


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