After a shaky start, Apache Junction got its season off on the right foot, just as it had last year — using 211 yards on the ground to take control of Friday's 40-7 season-opening win over visiting Goodyear Desert Edge.
The Prospectors fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter and inexplicably tried to the throw the ball in its first two series. But then Shane McCullen rambled for 65 yards for one score and Tripper Meason scored from 32 yards out as the Prospectors used the running game to score 21 points in less than four minutes and take the lead for good.
“I don’t know what it is, maybe we think we’re better than we are,” Apache Junction coach Max Ragsdale said. “We always start slow. We got to get kicked in the head or punched in the face before we start playing.”
Starting quarterback Dalton Hoch had two interceptions on defense, the second he returned 35 yards for the final score of the night.
Apache Junction forced five turnovers and held Desert Edge to 48 yards rushing and no significant second-half threats.
