Poston Butte as it defeats Apache Junction under Friday night light | AZPreps365

October 26, 2024 by Ty Boren, Arizona State University

Ty Boren is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Poston Butte for AZPreps365.com

With just two games left in the regular season the Poston Butte Broncos added to their win column Friday night as they hosted Apache Junction Prospectors (1-7).

The Broncos (3-5) picked up a dominant 57-14 win on their Homecoming night as well as their final home game of the season.

Poston Butte’s senior running back Evan Moore wasted no time getting the momentum going as he rushed for a 39-yard touchdown on the Broncos first play of the game.

Moore went on to rush for more than 90 yards and two touchdowns through the remainder of the game.

Immediately after Moore’s touchdown Poston Butte went on to recover the kickoff due to Apache Junctions returners colliding into each other in attempt to catch the kick.

This time it was Broncos junior running back Easton Filleti’s turn to take it to the house.

Filleti recorded a 20-yard rush which, was immediately followed by a 10-yard run for a touchdown, putting Poston Butte ahead by 14 points just three minutes into the game.

This quick start to the game had the Homecoming crowd on their feet cheering loud and proud.

Being down by multiple scores just minutes into the game, Apache Junction needed some momentum.

Unfortunately for the Prospectors, Broncos senior cornerback and wide receiver Izayah Robinette took things into his own hands with a 30-yard pick six.

After Robinette’s pick six it seemed like nothing could go wrong for the Broncos, Poston Butte’s defense came out hot and ready to go.

Just 13 seconds later the Broncos defense recovered a fumble, putting the ball back into the hands of their offense.

The Broncos would go on to score 14 more points in the first quarter, including a 50-yard touchdown pass from Mason Lloyd to Robinette.

Izayah Robinette made a name for himself with two big first quarter touchdowns.

“It feels amazing just being out here with my brothers, I’ve played ball with some of them my whole life and I’ve had a great time here at Poston Butte over the past four years,” said Robinette.

The second quarter was a lot slower than the first, with the only touchdown coming from Moore.

The second half began similar to the first half, Broncos senior quarterback Lloyd rushed for a 60-yard touchdown on the very first play of the half.

Lloyd finished the game with 95 rushing yards on top of 100 passing yards.

When asked about the improvement in his passing game Lloyd explained that the Broncos have been practicing more roll out passes rather than staying in the pocket.

“We had more roll out passing plays and their safety kept biting on the runs, every time they bite on a run that leaves a receiver open down field for me to find,” said Lloyd.

The rest of the third quarter was a defensive showdown with neither offense able to find an answer.

With a massive lead going into the fourth quarter Poston Butte decided to make a quarterback change, giving junior backup quarterback Grady Garner a chance to make something happen.

After 17 minutes of scoreless football Apache Junction would go on to put up their first 14 points in the final four minutes of play, but it was all too late.

Broncos head coach Dain Thompson had nothing but good things to say about his team after the game.

“These guys played super passionately all game and I’m super excited that this group of seniors got to have such a memorable last home game, it’s something they will look back on forever,” said Thompson.

With Friday’s win the Broncos have beaten the Prospectors six years in a row.

Next week Poston Butte heads to Gila Ridge (4-4), while Apache Junction travels to Snowflake (7-0).