Poston Butte's wins thus far in the COVID-19 2020 football season have been dominating. The Broncos didn't veer from that script Thursday night, shining in all phases of a 49-6 victory over visiting Apache Junction in a 4A Black Canyon Region matchup.

Senior running back Zion Burns notched his fourth consecutive 100-yard plus rushing game, piling up 203 yards and two touchdowns on 13 attempts. Senior quarterback Gavin Lloyd chipped in with two TD passes and a rushing touchdown. The Broncos defense was just as effective, forcing four turnovers and losing a shutout in the final 20 seconds.

"I thought it was an awesome performance by our guys, I was super impressed especially with the focus and attention our defense paid," Poston Butte coach Dain Thompson said. "They have some really good players and it's hard to assimilate that in practice. After the first possession our defense settled in and performed."  All of Apache Junction's other possessions in the opening half ended in punts (two) or turnovers (two). 

The game's opening possession belonged to Apache Junction (2-2, 0-1) and the Prospectors moved the chains several times from their 35 to Poston Butte's 21. The march ended with Poston Butte stopping a rush on fourth and short, giving its playmakers the chance to draw first blood. The Broncos responded.

Poston Butte (4-0, 2-0 region) has a serious weapon in Burns. He usually gets the Broncos' offense untracked quickly and this night was no exception. Lloyd busted Poston Butte's first play from scrimmage 80 yards for a touchdown, but a holding call downfield brought it back. After an offside call on Apache Junction, Burns got his initial carry and took it 75 yards to the house with 7:01 left in the first period.

Lloyd got his production cooking after he threw an interception in the red zone on Poston Butte's second possession. Completions of 20 yards to tight end Connor Lopez and a 68-yard, drive-capping TD toss of 28 yards to Jimmy Brooks made it 13-0 after a quarter.

Lloyd engineered an 87 yard scoring drive to open the second quarter, finishing it with a 1-yard run. Burns busted another lengthy TD run (50 yards) with 2:57 left to halftime to bump the lead to 28-0. All of Apache Junction's other possessions in the opening half ended in punts (two or turnovers two). 

Burns, in his third varsity season and a Nevada commit, has his coach's admiration as the seasons pass.

"He's such a dynamic player," Thompson said. "He can and does break some long ones, but he's become a power-guy as well. He gets extra yardage on the shorter runs with his strength."

Poston Butte totaled 332 yards of offense in the first half while limiting Apache Junction to 119. The Prospectors last drive of the half ended inside Poston Butte's 10 with the first of two interceptions by safety Amari Gilmore.

Lloyd's second TD pass of the game was the lone score in the third period. It was a nice 38-yard throw and catch to double-covered Lopez, who used his 6--foot-4, 205-pound  stature to outfight the defenders in tight coverage. Lloyd completed 5 of 9 passes for 136 yards. Lopez's three catches were good for 105 yards.

Apache Junction's lone score was a 3-yard run by sophomore quarterback Gavin Limongello. Limongello, who averaged 340 yards of offense the first three weeks, wasn't totally shut down. He rushed for 59 yards on 12 attempts and passed for 168 yards (11 of 23). The 217 total was his lowest output of the season.

Poston Butte seeks win No. 5 next week with a region road game at Tempe High (0-3). Apache Junction remains on the road to face Arcadia (0-3) and former coach Vance Miller.