A-1 Talented

Palm Springs is a desert oasis in which Scott Saunders has lived his entire life, so it’s no wonder he’s full of stories about hot weather.

“Most people have pool heaters,” he said. “We have AC units in our swimming pools.”

During the summer, when Saunders was playing in a football passing tournament, he observed a distinct quality about life in Palm Springs.

“The sun was down and it was still 110 degrees,” he said.

Malibu has its skateboarders, Huntington Beach has its surfers and Palm Springs has its outdoor enthusiasts who don’t allow a little dry heat to deter their quest for adventure.

Saunders wears No. 1 on his high school football jersey, and it’s appropriate for someone who ranks No. 1 in his senior class with a 4.74 grade-point average and serves as Palm Springs High’s standout quarterback.

This year, he will be taking Advanced Placement classes in statistics, psychology, physics, English and government. So much for coasting in his last year of high school.

Accepting the challenge of achieving academic and athletic excellence is what makes each day fun for Saunders, who has earned A’s in every high school class since his freshman year.

“I’m a competitor,” he said. “Anything less is a failure to me. There are no points for second place.”

It’s that never-ending pursuit of perfection that pushes Saunders to a different level.

“Some don’t like it,” he said. “I think it’s important. Nothing in this world is perfect, but if you strive for perfection, it’s going to make you that much better.”

As a junior, Saunders completed 69% of his passes and threw for 3,301 yards. He also kicked four field goals, converted 58 PATs and averaged close to 40 yards on punts.

In the season opener two weeks ago, he passed for 211 yards, ran for 46 more and had a 73-yard punt in a 28-7 victory over Riverside King. Last week, Saunders passed for 168 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-14 victory over Hemet. Tonight, Palm Springs plays host to Yucaipa at 7:30.

“He’s the last triple threat,” Coach Steve Fabian said.

There’s no doubt Saunders is a terrific high school athlete, but skeptics wonder about his aspirations to play college ball because he’s only 5 feet 11 and 197 pounds.

“I definitely feel I am one of the smartest high school quarterbacks,” he said. “I am shorter and have to make up for it by knowing the game better. That’s where film sessions come in, learning coverages and learning all the mind aspects of the game.”

Saunders could end up on the East Coast next fall -- Ivy League schools don’t seem concerned about his lack of size -- but he’s keeping his options open while hoping colleges pay attention to what he accomplishes his senior year.

“I’m not the least bit worried about having the opportunity to play college football,” he said.

Saunders’ success in the classroom will surely open doors, and he can thank his parents for putting him on the right path.

He said they explained the importance of “what you’ve done in elementary school, middle school and high school will affect how your life is for the rest of your life.”

Even his younger brother, Steven, a freshman quarterback, gets straight A’s.

“If you get a B, we have a doghouse and you sleep there,” Saunders said jokingly.

Saunders has prided himself on connecting with people from different backgrounds. He is as comfortable socializing with friends who are athletes as those who are not.

When temperatures hit triple digits in Palm Springs, don’t expect to find Saunders complaining or lounging by the pool.

“I’ve been playing football since I was 8,” he said. “It’s my life. I wouldn’t live anywhere else.”

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Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.