Palka Shines as Higley Holds Off Perry in 45-42 Showdown Victory

GILBERT, Ariz. — The Higley Knights continued their winning streak Thursday night, defeating the Perry Pumas 45-42 in a thrilling Fiesta Bowl High School Football Showdown matchup at Higley High School.

With both offenses delivering impressive performances, Higley senior Anthony Palka stepped up when his team needed him most. In just his second game back at quarterback, Palka threw for four total touchdowns and helped the Knights survive a late comeback attempt by Perry.

According to MaxPreps, Palka completed 13 of 17 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns, plus 122 rushing yards and two more scores on 13 carries. His performance earned him the Fiesta Bowl Player of the Game award and the Showdown championship belt.

For Palka, the moment was even more meaningful because he had just returned to the quarterback position.

“It feels great. I haven’t played quarterback in a long time, probably two years now,” Palka said in a postgame interview. “I was a little rusty.”

Despite the adjustment, Palka credited his teammates for helping him settle into the position.

“I just believed in my family, my receivers, my linemen, and my running backs to protect me,” Palka said.

Higley opened the scoring in the first quarter when running back Antonio Young broke free for a 21-yard rushing touchdown. The Knights continued their offensive momentum in the second quarter, adding a field goal before Perry responded with an 80-yard kickoff return touchdown from Amos Augustine.

Palka answered by connecting with Young on a 50-yard touchdown pass, giving Higley another boost offensively. Later in the quarter, Palka found Xavier Jackson for a 20-yard score.

Perry quarterback Kael Snyder responded with a 70-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Singleton, keeping the Pumas within striking distance as Higley entered halftime leading 24-14.

After halftime, Perry’s defense forced a crucial red-zone fumble, and Snyder capitalized with a one-yard rushing touchdown. The score narrowed to a three-point lead for Higley heading into the fourth quarter.

However, Higley’s offense quickly responded.

Young scored his second rushing touchdown of the night from 12 yards out, and Palka added another on the ground, extending the Knights’ advantage to 38-21.

Even with Higley holding a 17-point lead, Perry refused to go away.

Snyder connected with Singleton for a 38-yard touchdown before finding Dominic Hawkins for another score, cutting the Knights’ lead to 38-35 with just over two minutes remaining.

Following an unsuccessful Perry onside kick, Palka broke free for a 24-yard rushing touchdown, pushing Higley’s lead to 45-35.

Perry answered again, with Snyder connecting with Singleton on a deep touchdown pass to bring the Pumas within three points with about a minute remaining.

Higley recovered Perry’s final onside kick attempt, securing the 45-42 victory.

While Palka’s performance stood out statistically, he said he felt much more comfortable than in his first game back under center.

“I felt way more comfortable,” Palka said. “Last week definitely helped me feel that comfort for sure, feeling that connection with my receivers.”

He also credited the extra practice time throughout the week with building chemistry with the offense.

Young was another major contributor to Higley’s victory, finishing with 130 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. He also caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Palka, bringing his total to three touchdowns.

On the opposite sideline, Snyder delivered an impressive performance of his own, completing 23 of 38 passes for 352 yards and four touchdowns. Singleton finished with six receptions for 170 yards and three scores, helping Perry remain competitive until the final minute.

When asked whether he could have imagined himself winning the Fiesta Bowl Showdown belt just a few weeks earlier, Palka admitted that he hadn’t expected it.

“Honestly, no,” Palka said.

Rather than focusing on his individual performance, he shifted attention back to his teammates, especially Young.

“My dog Antonio, he had like three touchdowns himself. He was going crazy,” Palka said. “There was a lot of other people that contributed, and I just did my part.”

The victory improved Higley’s record to 5-1 and extended its winning streak to five games, while Perry dropped to 4-2 following the narrow defeat.

The two teams combined for 87 points, making it the highest-scoring Fiesta Bowl High School Football Showdown game of the 2026 season through six matchups.

Higley will look to carry its momentum into a matchup with Shadow Ridge on October 15, while Perry prepares to face Westwood on October 16.

For Palka, Thursday night’s victory was more than another win. It was a chance to prove himself in an unfamiliar role, earn the trust of his teammates, and help lead Higley through one of its toughest challenges of the season.