Visiting Apache Junction could not overcome their first round woes of late after losing their opening-round 4A-1 playoff game against host Cienega, 31-7.

SLIDESHOW: Friday night football action

The Prospectors trailed for most of the game and could not manage to get their vaunted rushing attack going at any point throughout the entire game.

“It’s a tough loss for us, especially for the seniors,” said Apache Junction coach Rich Milligan after hugging and briefly speaking with each and every senior after the game. “Unfortunately, (losing) is a part of the game and hopefully we’ll be able to put this one behind us.”

Cienega jumped out to an early 7-0 lead after quarterback Seth Mejias-Brean connected with wide receiver Trent Simon for a 33-yard touchdown with just over nine minutes remaining in the first quarter.

The Prospectors would go on to answer with a 99-yard kickoff return by senior running back Shane McMullen on the ensuing kickoff to tie the game at seven.

From there things got out of hand for the Prospectors.

Cienega scored ten unanswered points in the first quarter to build a 17-7 lead at halftime after a scoreless second quarter and 14 unanswered points in the second half.

Cienega’s rushing attack opened up opportunities for big plays in the passing game which kept the Prospectors guessing for 48 minutes.

The Prospectors kept Cienega from converting two conversions on fourth down in the second quarter but were unable to capitalize with points.

In the second half, Apache Junction struggled to move the ball on the ground against the Bobcats’ defense. As a result, Apache Junction halted rushing attack put a lot of pressure on their passing game.

Apache Junction quarterback Nate Scola, the team’s leading rusher, rushed for a team-high 78 yards Friday. Scola, however, completed only two of his 13 pass attempts for 24 yards.

“I’m really proud of our guys and in many ways they overachieved,” Milligan said. “It hurts to have to say goodbye to kids but unfortunately that’s the hard part about coaching.”