Streaking Jags, Tigers & Eagles win again on the gridiron

For the first time in recent memory, all three Valencia County high school football teams are on a winning streak at the same time.

Belen, Los Lunas and Valencia followed up road victories in week four of the season by protecting their home turf on Friday in week five.

Belen Eagles

Any drama in Friday’s homecoming game for Belen (2-2, 2-0) against Del Norte (0-5, 0-2) evaporated early, with the Eagles scoring 29 unanswered points in the first quarter.

Before long, BHS would nail down a 50-0 victory, called early in the third quarter by the mercy rule. It was the Eagles’ first home victory since the 2021 season.

After losing their two previous homecoming contests, BHS was determined not to let that happen again.

“I told the kids homecoming is all about the football game and winning the football game,” said Kevin Peña, head coach, referring to the week-long festivities.

The Eagles took over immediately with the running attack.

“We had some good blocking up front. The running backs ran hard,” said Peña.

Jasode Harris had two touchdowns, while Brady Aragon, Ganzalo Cano, Augustine Griego and quarterback Ethan Thomas also found pay dirt.

“He was making good reads. I give a lot of credit to him,” Peña said about Thomas. “He made some nice runs when he had to and gave it (to running backs) when he had to.”

On defense, Elijah Schaffino recovered a fumble for a touchdown and made a tackle for a safety.

Another District 1-5A matchup awaits Friday, as the Eagles head to Miyamura (2-3,1-1).

“I think they’re getting a little confidence, finally,” Peña said of his players. “Winning always picks up momentum, picks up excitement.”

Valencia Jaguars

The Valencia defense turned in another impressive performance Friday, as the Jaguars (4-1, 1-0) handled Silver High School 17-6 in the District 2-4A opener for both teams. For the fourth time this season, Valencia held an opponent to two touchdowns or less.

“I thought our defense played lights out,” said LeDarrius Cage, head coach.

Valencia’s Donavon Nieto pounced on a fumble during the Mustangs’ first drive and would recover a second fumble later. However, the Jags’ offense was sluggish, and Silver led 6-3 at the half.

The turning point came on Valencia’s first possession of the second half.

“We ate up the entire quarter,” Cage said. “We took the ball 75 yards down the field, converted two fourth downs on the drive,” with Chris Waseta punching it in.

The touchdown put Valencia in front, 10-6. Two interceptions by the VHS defense and a 38-yard run by quarterback Aiden Harrington sealed the victory, which was particularly sweet after losing to SHS 50-28 last season.

“Those are the games that you’ve got to win,” Cage said. “Those grinders that we played last year, we always came up on the bottom end.”

Friday, Valencia travels to Portales (2-3, 0-1) for another district battle. VHS has won three straight games.

Los Lunas Tigers

The bread and butter for Los Lunas (3-1, 2-0) to be successful this season, according to Greg Henington, head coach, is running the football and playing defense at a high level. Both areas came through Friday at home against West Mesa (2-2, 0-1), with LLHS posting a third straight victory, 54-21.

“The defense set a tone for us,” Henington said, holding the Mustangs to less than 25 yards of offense in the first half. “We also made plays through the air that kind of broke it open.”

It took much of the first half for the Tigers’ offense to get rolling.

“We finally lit a fire on our behinds and got after it,” said Kyle Valdez, senior offensive lineman.

A 35-yard field goal by Nathan Martinez was sandwiched between a Jordan Howard rushing touchdown and a TD reception by J’Den Howard from Kaiden Reese to give the Tigers an 18-0 halftime lead.

Reese added another touchdown pass to start the third quarter, but West Mesa returned the kickoff 92 yards to end the shutout.

The Los Lunas defense, forcing two turnovers, and the running attack took over from there.

“These guys, when they get an open space, even a body size, they can go wherever they want,” said Valdez of the LLHS running backs.

Los Lunas has a bye week and then Oct. 4 welcomes Albuquerque High for homecoming.