FOOTBALL: BELEN WINS IN BLOWOUT

Eagles to take on the Tigers in Los Lunas in next week’s Valencia Bowl

BELEN —District rivals, the Highland High School Hornets, didn’t stand a chance in Belen under the Friday night lights when they faced off against the Belen High School Eagles. BHS came out on top in a 62-14 blowout victory.

Senior quarterback Diego Espinoza led the Eagles on a first-possession touchdown drive that ended with breakout star runningback Diego Avila crossing the line for his first of two touchdowns on the night. Avila would end the game with 107 rushing yards on only four carries.

Two of the Eagles seven touchdowns were also scored by senior fullback Sam Tibbs, who ran for 64 yards in the game. Espinoza got in on the scoring himself, rushing for 38 yard and converting two 2-point conversions.

At halftime, the scoreboard was 49-6. The Hornets got the first possession and went on an efficient touchdown drive that ended in a 2-point conversion.

But whatever momentum they may have had was immediately blocked when Espinoza threw the first of two touchdown passes to wide receivers. The first one went to senior Brody Marquez. The other went to junior Elijah Romero.

Two quick, third-quarter touchdowns later and the game was ended in accordance with the NMAA’s mercy rule.

With this win, the Eagles’ record improves to 6-2 (3-0 in district). The team hasn’t lost since Sept. 3 — a home game against Artesia — which was the second game of the season and their second loss.

BHS rides into its final game of the season on a six-game winning streak, making a strong case for solid tournament seeding in the playoff brackets.

The road to a high seed is by no means a given, however, as the Eagles travel to neighboring Los Lunas to take on the undefeated Los Lunas High School Tigers in their final game — the Valencia Bowl — of the regular season at 12 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 30.

Game preview

BELEN (6-2, 3-0) at LOS LUNAS (9-0, 3-0)

At Los Lunas High School

12 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 30

Note: This is the final game of the regular season for both teams. Los Lunas is undefeated and Belen is on a six-game winning streak.