Keegan Brown is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Peoria High School for AZPreps365.com

PEORIA – With five rushes of over 20 yards, Peoria running backs Cristian Zarate and Javon Bell combined for three touchdowns on Saturday, leading the Panthers to a 43-14 win.over Poston Butte.

Peoria’s red-hot rushing attack steamrolled the Broncos’ defense, compiling 282 yards on the ground. 

“They’re both really good and they both really need to be on the field,” Peoria coach Jason Golden said. “Our offense is built around having two running backs that both can block, both can run, both can catch.” 

Both Zarate and Bell had over 10 yards per carry, with 114 and 136 rushing yards, respectively.

Peoria quarterback Dominic Kramer threw for 140 yards, completing 12 of 19 attempts for two touchdowns and one interception. For Poston Butte, Grady Garner passed for 57 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions, going 5 for 12 in passing attempts.

The Panthers jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead in the first quarter after a four-play, 54-yard drive ending in a 35-yard touchdown pass from Kramer to receiver Dontay Tyson Jr., which took just 1:43. Although the extra point was missed, another score after a Broncos three-and-out put Peoria up 14-0 with a successful two-point conversion attempt. Tyson Jr. had 64 yards and two touchdowns on four catches.

“Our run game really helps set up our passing game with our wide receivers,” Golden said. 

Peoria was able to score two more touchdowns in the second quarter, while Poston Butte was able to score their first touchdown of the game on a 14-yard reception by tight end Asher Kerstetter. His only reception of the night came with 52 seconds remaining in the half. 

Peoria’s final touchdown of the half came as the clock expired after two defensive penalties put the Panthers at the 1-yard line, where Bell was able to punch the ball into the end zone.

“Running the ball became the highlight. That’s what Peoria’s been about, from back in the day to now,” Bell said.

Coming out of the half down 29-7, the Broncos defense was able to score a second touchdown on a nine-play, 84-yard drive spearheaded by running back Easton Filetti. Filetti had 36 yards on the drive, with a 22-yard rushing touchdown bringing the score to 29-14 with 7:10 left in the third quarter.

Filetti was a bright spot for an offense that struggled otherwise. He was given the brunt of the rushing attack with 128 yards on 27 carries.

“He’s absolutely the heart and soul of the team. He’s a great kid,” Poston Butte coach Rod Holmes said. “He’s playing pretty much every play on both sides of the ball. He’s a great representation of what it means to be a Bronco.”

The next three drives for the Broncos ended with interceptions. Linebacker Erik Gonzalez and defensive backs Marcell Colenberg and Diego Vasquez were all able to best the Broncos’ struggling passing offense, and two of the three interceptions led to Panther touchdowns.

“We wanted to put some pressure with our front four, which let our DBs read their keys and not be out on an island,” Golden said.

Peoria (2-3) will play St. Mary’s (4-1) at Washington High School next Friday at 7 p.m. 

Poston Butte (0-5) will host Snowflake (5-0) next Friday at 7 p.m.