Evan Jimenez is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Higley for AZPreps365.com

GILBERT, Ariz. — Despite heavy rain, a lengthy lightning delay and numerous penalties, Higley overcame the challenging conditions Friday night to defeat rival Williams Field 46-21, avenging last season's loss to the Black Hawks.

The rivalry has historically favored Williams Field, which won the first 12 meetings between the programs before Higley responded with three consecutive victories from 2022 to 2024. 

With the two schools located approximately 2.5 miles apart, many players have known each other for years, making the annual matchup one of the more personal games on the schedule.

"These kids go to school together, they go to church together, they grew up together," Higley head coach Eddy Zubey said. "At the end of the day, when this game is over, it's just kind of like bragging rights."

The rivalry also features a connection between the head coaches. Zubey and Steve Campbell were teammates at Arizona State, where Campbell played quarterback on the Sun Devils' 1997 Sun Bowl championship team. 

Campbell later hired Zubey as his defensive coordinator at McClintock High School before becoming Williams Field's first head football coach in 2007, a position he has held ever since.

"This game is always fun, and he's always done a really good job of not rubbing it in my face that they won 12 in a row," Zubey said. "So I tip my cap to him on that. It's a really fun rivalry."

Higley opened the scoring in the first quarter with a touchdown by quarterback Anthony Palka, taking a 6-0 lead after a missed extra-point attempt.

The Knights later failed to convert on fourth down, giving Williams Field an opportunity to respond. However, the Black Hawks were unable to capitalize.

With 1:10 remaining in the first quarter, wide receiver Antonio Young found the end zone to extend Higley's lead to 12-0. The Knights missed their second extra-point attempt of the night, leaving the score unchanged heading into the second quarter.

Williams Field answered early in the second quarter, when wide receiver Trey Smith scored a touchdown with 11:07 remaining, cutting Higley's lead to 12-7.

Higley responded when wide receiver Kam Richardson returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, extending the Knights' lead to 19-7 following their first successful extra-point attempt of the night.

"My coaches just called it up, and we practiced it a lot in practice, and we made the play," Richardson said.

With 2:36 remaining in the second quarter, Palka broke free for a long touchdown run, extending Higley's lead to 26-7.

Despite committing several penalties, including false starts, offensive pass interference and holding calls on both sides of the ball, the Knights maintained control heading into halftime.

Williams Field opened the second half with a touchdown by quarterback Jacob Coutts with 9:49 remaining in the third quarter, cutting Higley's lead to 26-14 after a successful extra-point attempt.

However, both teams faced an unexpected challenge when heavy rain, lightning and loud thunder swept through the area, forcing officials to temporarily suspend play.

As rain poured down and thunder echoed throughout the stadium, players left the field and headed toward their team buses during the lengthy delay.

The unexpected pause  presented a new challenge for Zubey and his players.

"To be honest with you, this is something that we really haven't dealt with before," Zubey said. "We've dealt with it in practice, but in a game situation, we really (haven’t) ."

The teams initially expected to return to the field around 9:50 p.m., but another lightning strike extended the delay.

Zubey said he was preparing his players to return when officials informed him they would have to wait even longer.

"I was actually in the middle of a speech telling our guys, 'We have 10 minutes till we go out there. We gotta get mentally ready,'" Zubey said. "When they came in to tell me a new lightning delay, another 20 minutes."

The game eventually resumed at 10:10 p.m., more than three hours after the scheduled 7 p.m. kickoff.

Despite the interruption, Palka said the Knights remained focused on their goal of winning the game.

"We just try to keep our heads on the main goal, for sure, just come together as a team," Palka said. "And no matter what comes in front of us, we just gotta push through it together."

Palka said the team's preparation throughout the season made a difference Friday night.

"Those coaches, they prepare us for anything," Palka said. "Practices always put us in uncomfortable situations so we're comfortable when we get out here."

Coming out of the break, Higley wasted little time getting back on the scoreboard.

Wide receiver Jordyn Harris scored a touchdown with 5:26 remaining in the third quarter, extending the Knights' lead 32-14.

Williams Field responded by driving down the field, but the Black Hawks fumbled with 1:11 remaining. Higley recovered the ball and maintained its lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The Knights capitalized on the turnover with a touchdown with 11:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, extending their lead to 39-14.

Williams Field answered quickly, as wide receiver Christian Davis scored a touchdown with 10:09 remaining, cutting Higley's lead to 39-21.

Young responded with a powerful run, breaking multiple tackles on his way to the end zone for his second touchdown of the night. The score extended Higley's lead to 46-21 with 8:37 remaining in the game.

Higley's defense continued to apply pressure, as defensive end Collin Gottschalk recorded a sack with 8:06 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Linebacker Dax White recovered a Williams Field fumble near Higley's 20-yard line with 5:57 remaining.

Defensive end Aueri Moody added another sack with 3:53 remaining, helping seal the Knights' 46-21 victory.

For Zubey, the victory represented more than the final score.

"Those are things that we talk about all the time," Zubey said. "Not necessarily what happens to you, but it's how you respond to it."

He also stressed that the lessons his players learn go beyond football.

"Because that character portion of it is huge," Zubey said. "In life, they're going to deal with a lot of things. Not everything's gonna be hunky-dory."

The Knights' preparation also gave Richardson confidence during the lengthy weather delay.

"We had a game plan, we stayed true to it (and) we had to lock back in," Richardson said. "We practice through the rain. We've been in moments like this before. We knew what we had to do."

With the victory, Higley improved to 8-1 overall and 3-0 in region play. The Knights will look to continue their momentum against Brophy Prep on Nov. 6.

For Richardson, Friday night's win carried a personal meaning. 

"Man, it means a lot," Richardson said. "They took everything from us last year, from our seniors. Just seeing my brothers have to walk off the field last year crying and all that. I had to get back for them."