Palm Springs advances to CIF title game

There wasn’t much celebration after the Palm Springs High School football team beat Carter 17-13 Friday.

Players were relieved the team had won, of course, but they weren’t satisfied with how they played. It says a lot about Palm Springs that the team committed four turnovers and still won. The Indians know they will have to play better to knock off Rancho Verde next week.

It was an interesting scene after the game. Indians coach Steve Fabian didn’t mention the team’s mistakes too much when everyone gathered in the north end zone. He congratulated players for advancing to the title game, but they weren’t as exuberant as they have been after their previous victories. After going 13-0, the Indians know how well they can play, and players like Kyle Lass voiced their disappointment in their effort Friday.

Perhaps that will fuel the Indians as they prepare to take on Rancho Verde. The Mustangs are coming off a 42-14 blowout over Colony, and they will be eager to win their first-ever CIF title, especially after losing the Central Division title game to Colton last year.

The championship game should be exciting Friday, but the Indians know they will have to improve their play to win their second CIF title in three years.