Jordan Spurgeon
Can you believe we’re halfway through the Arizona high school football season?
It’s flying by and answers galore are starting to solidify.
Thursday Night Rewind
Possibly the game of the year happened Thursday night on the Fiesta Bowl High School Football Showdown.
Higley outlasted Perry in a track meet, 45-42. The Knights move to 5-1 and are setup for a nice run in region play.
Quarterback Anthony Palka shined, combining for 340 yards through the air and on the ground with four total touchdowns. He can make great decisions with both his arm and legs. Some college is going to get a steal with him.
For Perry, it was a wild week. Head coach Jeremy Hathcock wasn’t expected to coach after having a small procedure on Wednesday. Despite finding out that he will need heart bypass surgery, he was back on the sideline coaching the Pumas Thursday. His son Alec was watching him closely on the sidelines, making sure his heart rate wasn’t elevating throughout the stress of the game.
Kael Snyder looked every bit of elite, especially in the second half. Boise State is getting a great one.
The fight that @perrypumas showed, especially in the 4th, was unreal. @Kael_Snyder12 delivers so many elite throws with a calm poise beyond his years, & we saw one of the best onside kicks ever. pic.twitter.com/jGlgOD8rP8
— Jordan Spurgeon (@spurge_) October 2, 2026
These two teams could face each other again. While both are capable of winning an Open Division play-in game and even going on a run there, a 6A championship battle would be electric to watch…
Friday night answers
Shoutout Maryvale, 5-1 on the season now after a 49-13 win over North Canyon. The Panthers are loaded with young talent all over. The Carter brothers and their coaching staff have this team in prime position to go 9-1 and make the postseason. That’s only the beginning of their mission for this program…
In 5A, Desert Edge ended it’s “slide” with a 21-17 win over Canyon View. Some wrote off the Scorpions after two losses, but in a wide open 5A, they still have more talent than anyone and can hoist a gold ball. Transfers being unleashed this week helped them too, Nate Jones already made an impact in game one with a touchdown and plays all over the field.
Canyon View, the reigning 5A runner ups, proved that a return to December football is still on the table. Don’t count out the Jaguars…
In maybe the biggest “shocker” of the week, Notre Dame Prep hands Horizon its first loss, 24-3. The Huskies were looking to run the table and get to the 5A title game. One goal not on the table, but the ultimate one is still within reach.
When you’re talking about the favorites in the Open Division, how can you not talk about Centennial? A 36-12 victory over Sandra Day O’Connor is the latest impressive showing by the Coyotes.
Shout out Cody Cameron for this stat:
Saturday morning stat – the @Cehsfootball defense has held all six of their opponents to season scoring lows. Well on their way to solidifying themselves as a Top 4 team in the state + a first round Bye in the Open. @Coach_ATaylor
— Cody Cameron (@CodyTCameron) October 3, 2026
A few surprise teams
Millenium is 6-0 this year following a 42-14 win over Verrado. The Tigers haven’t allowed more than 14 points in a game this year.
Tempe is 5-1, with the one loss coming against 5A Chaparral last minute after both programs had opponents cancel. The Buffaloes look legit in 4A under coach Sean Freeman. The Tempe Turnaround is real and there is high level talent all over the field for them.
Another 4A team making a statement is Sierra Linda. 6-0 to open the year, with a 42-0 win over Agua Fria Friday night.
Gridiron’s Manual Scoreboard
Other scores from across 5A and 6A:
Score of the Night: Notre Dame 24 Horizon 3. Saints hand Huskies their first loss and get a little revenge from last year’s playoffs. Here’s the rest of the Manual Scoreboard for 6A & 5A. . . . pic.twitter.com/bC7wjC9iBQ
— Gridiron Arizona (@gridironarizona) October 3, 2026
