PALM SPRINGS — With its offensive line starting to come together, Palm Springs High School dominated Coachella Valley on Friday.

“We finally looked like a team tonight,” Indians quarterback Michael Karls said.

Palm Springs scored on every possession except its last in its 53-7 victory over Coachella Valley, which played without injured running back Oliver Inzunza.

The Indians (5-2, 2-1) overpowered the Arabs (5-3, 1-2) from the outset.

Coachella Valley fumbled on the game's first offensive play. Nephi Garcia recovered for the Indians and, three plays later, Karls scored on a 16-yard run.

Coachella Valley didn't pick up a first down until the Indians had built an insurmountable 33-0 lead in the second quarter.

The Indians rushed for 345 yards, with 10 players getting carries.

“I was real proud of the way our offensive line played,” Indians coach Steve Fabian said.

After coaches finally settled on a starting lineup against La Quinta two weeks ago, the line has picked up its performance.

“We're starting to jell as a unit. To know how the other guys around you are going to react to certain situations helps you get on your block,” left guard Austin Hughes said. “It's a lot easier than throwing different guys in there and having like a carousel offensive line.”

Hughes is the only returning starter on the line, which also includes left tackle Luis Frias, center Jake Mills, right guard Kyle Lass and right tackle Jalal Ailabouni.

“As long as our line plays hard,” Karls said, “and our running backs run the way we've been running — running hard with a purpose — we should be fine.”

Karls led the Indians' onslaught of rushers with 88 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries. He also completed 7 of 9 passes for 125 yards and three touchdowns.

Evan Williams rushed for 78 yards and one touchdown, and Garcia added 75 rushing yards and one touchdown.

“Offense, defense and even special teams, we all hit hard,” Karls said, “and I think it was Fabe telling us that we needed to do it for ourselves more than for anybody else.”

The Arabs gained 87 rushing yards. They were missing Inzunza, who suffered a deep thigh bruise last week against Palm Desert. The team's leading rusher and free safety didn't respond to treatment during the week.

Coachella Valley coach Ramon Ruiz said the injury had no bearing on how his team played.

“We didn't show up tonight,” Ruiz said. “We're not going to make excuses.”

But Fabian acknowledged the injury's significance.

“That's a big thing,” Fabian said. “He's the heart and soul of their team. That hurts.”

While Coachella Valley hopes to get Inzunza back next week when they host La Quinta, Palm Springs will take on Palm Desert at home in a matchup that will test both teams as they prepare to make a run in the CIF playoffs.

“Let's find out next week if we have turned the corner,” Fabian said, “and if we pull off a win next week, we might do some damage in the playoffs if we're lucky enough to make it.”