Hornets sting Eagles during Thursday night football

ALBUQUERQUE — Two long touchdown runs Thursday by Amiri Mumba, including a “killer” to end the first half, propelled Highland (4-4, 3-2) to an 18-7 victory in District 1-5A over Belen (2-3, 2-5) at Milne Stadium.

With only 8 seconds to go in the half, Mumba took a direct snap, headed to the left, cut up the sidelines and raced 67 yards for the touchdown as time expired.

“It was a killer because our momentum went down,” said Kevin Pena, BHS coach. “The guys in the locker room (at halftime) were down. We’ve got to learn to let that go.”

The game started under chilly and blustery conditions, with the wind hindering the passing attack and the kicking game for both teams. The first quarter ended scoreless, with the Eagles and Hornets combining for three fourth down stops, opting to not punt into the swirling wind.

Mumba, who rushed for nearly 300 yards, opened the scoring in the second quarter with the first of his three touchdowns. “He was a hard hitter,” said Brady Aragon, who plays both offense and defense for the Eagles. “We’d go low, and he would bounce off.”

Following each Highland touchdown, the Hornets’ two-point conversion attempt was no good.

Belen took the lead when Aragon, a senior, grabbed a pitch, headed left and outran the defense 14 yards into the end zone. “It was definitely one of my proudest moments,” Aragon said.

The extra point by Nehemiah Sanchez gave the Eagles a 7-6 lead, which stood until the touchdown by Mumba to end the half. Santiago Cordova blocked a punt for BHS late in the half, but the Eagles were unable to take advantage.

After a scoreless third quarter, Mumba took off on a 54-yard td run that was eerily similar to his touchdown sprint to end the first half. That put Highland up 18-7, and that’s how the game ended.

Friday, Belen hosts Rio Grande on Senior Night. “These seniors have given a lot to this program and hopefully we can send them out that night with a win,” Pena said.

Aragon added, “I can’t wait. Looking forward to it.”