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BELEN — After winning just one game in each of the last two seasons, the Belen Eagles believe a return to form in 5A is not far off.
“I’m loving it,” said senior lineman Vicente Shiflett on the first day of practice. “Everybody is getting stronger, faster, more physical.”
Damian Avila, senior running back and linebacker, says the new district format, which has eliminated some contests against larger schools like Los Lunas, will be a benefit.
“Our (offensive) line is really doing good right now. We’ve got a lot of big boys up there, opening holes in practice,” Avila said.
Staying healthy is the big concern for Kevin Peña, in his third year as Eagles head coach.
“We don’t have depth in our offensive and defensive lines,” Peña said. “We can’t have anybody get hurt.”
Peña is counting on a full season from lineman Elijah Martinez, senior, who missed six games in 2023 because of injury.
With a lack of depth, Belen (1-10) will use a two-platoon system at most positions, with players lining up on both offense and defense. That is just fine with Shiflett.
“It gives you more of an opportunity to help your team, do what you’ve got to do to get the wins,” the Eagle senior said.
A starting quarterback hasn’t been named yet. Peña said that there is an “open competition” between Ethan Thomas, senior, and Gonzalo Cano, sophomore.
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Whomever is under center will have Avila and Jasode Harris, senior, to hand the ball off to. Logan Gonzalez, the Eagles top receiver last season, is back for his junior year.
On defense, BHS is lacking experience but does have last season’s top tacklers returning in Avila and linebacker Dalton Golliheair, senior.
“We lost a bunch of guys on defense last year but we have guys that played coming back,” Peña said. “We’re just going to try and battle. We’re not going to quit.”
BHS may need to be at midseason form on Friday, Aug. 23, when they host Bloomfield in game one. The Bobcats (11-1) are one of the top teams in 5A, falling in the second round of the 2023 playoffs.
In addition to Bloomfield, the Eagles’ non-district schedule includes Santa Fe and, for the first time since 2020, Valencia.
BHS football schedule
Aug. 23: Bloomfield (H)
Aug. 30: Santa Fe (A)
Sept. 6: Valencia (H)
Sept. 12: Valley* (A at Milne Stadium)
Sept. 20: Del Norte* (H)
Sept. 27: Miyamura* (A)
Oct. 4: Los Alamos* (H)
Oct. 17: Highland* (A)
Oct. 25: Rio Grande* (H)
Nov. 1: Santa Fe Capital* (A at 1 p.m.)
*Denotes district game
