Football Showcase Highlights Young Talent

Desert School Spotlights Young Talent at Football Showcase that Includes NFL Veterans Lead Tutorials and Tourneys

BERMUDA DUNES — Football fans can come cheer on local student-athletes at the Coachella Football Showcase, Desert Christian Academy’s three-day football event featuring NFL pros and exciting games. The series of camps, tournaments and challenges take place Friday, March 8 through Sunday, March 10.

At the “Coached by the Pros” camp on March 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., players from elementary school to high school will learn the fundamentals of football from NFL pros. Teachers include Marshall Faulk, a Hall of Fame former player for the Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams. Twenty more football experts will help lead the camp, including Darnay Scott, a 9-year NFL veteran and Robert Griffith, a 13-year NFL veteran.

“The goal is to bring notoriety to the Coachella Valley and get our student-athletes to be coached by the best,” Desert Christian Academy Administrator and former Minnesota Viking Chris Johnson said. “This is a once in a lifetime chance to come out and support us as fans and participants and showcase our thriving and talented Valley.”

The public can attend a meet- and-greet with former NFL players from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on March 9 and 10. Music, food trucks, vendors and a competitive atmosphere will round out the community event.

Players can participate in Zybek Combine Testing on March 8 at 4 p.m. The testing delivers usable data on speed, agility and strength. This “Standardized Athlete Test” has examined over 100,000 student-athletes, including D1 teams. It is used by both the NFL and NBC Sports.

Players will compete in a 7-On-7 Tourney on March 9 and 10, assembling some of the best teams from around the state. San Diego-based Fast Camp, ranked by Zorts Sports as number three in the nation, will play in the games.

Finally, young linemen can compete in the Coachella Lineman Challenge, putting their skills to the test. A trophy will go to “King of the Lineman.”

To purchase tickets for the Coachella Showcase, visit s34t.com.  Additional information is available at www.desertchristianacademy.org.