Defense, run game power Belen to 5-0
La Cueva, Eldorado both win in routs
BELEN — Class 5A’s thirdranked Belen Eagles remained undefeated Friday night, using a dominating defense and a strong running game to beat No. 2 Roswell 29-7 on Friday night.
Belen’s 5-0 start is only the third such start in program history. The last two came in 2009 and 2010. Roswell falls to 2-2.
Belen’s Diego Casillas has a career night, running for 298 yards on 28 carries with four touchdown runs. The junior also picked off a Roswell pass at the Eagles’ 1-yard line in a crucial stop.
Belen’s offense finished with 416 yards — 369 of them were on the ground.
“We watched a lot of film and we were ready for this game,” Casillas said. “We just kept executing and played our hardest. On my runs, I give all the credit to the offensive line. I owe them dinner or something. They went all out.”
The Eagle defense forced four turnovers — two fumbles and two interceptions, cutting off promising Roswell drives that might have kept the Coyotes in the game.
Roswell quarterback Michael Ponce threw for 169 yards and scored Roswell’s lone touchdown in the first quarter.
The Coyotes finished with 231 yards total, but only 67 yards rushing. Bruising senior running back Gabriel Najar was limited to 37 yards on 16 carries.
Belen’s Tim Bunker tacked on a 34-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to finish the scoring in what proved to be the Eagles’ best and most impressive win of the season.
“Running the ball successfully all night long was the key,” said Belen coach Greg Henington. “Even with their adjustments they couldn’t stop (our running backs). We just ran the rock and played great defense. I can’t give enough credit to the defense. When you face a great run team, you’ve got to play great defense and we did.” — Kenn Rodriguez LA CUEVA 55, HIGHLAND 0: At Milne Stadium, quarterback Dylan Summer threw for three touchdowns, and the Bears (5-0) blocked three Highland punts in a game that was called by mercy rule in the fourth quarter.
Blaine Smith had a blocked punt return for a score for the Bears. The Hornets fell to 1-3. ELDORADO 49, VALLEY 14: At Wilson Stadium, quarterback Gabe Smith ran for two scores and ran for another as the Eagles (4-1) dominated the Vikings (1-4).
Javien Chavez had a long pick-6 for Eldorado. It was his fifth interception this season.
ELSEWHERE: Los Lunas (4-1) set up its showdown with Artesia next week by blanking visiting Rio Grande, 36-0. The Ravens lost their 31st straight contest. … Hope Christian quarterback Vince Quezada threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Nick Henry with 25 seconds remaining, giving the visiting Huskies a dramatic 23-17 win at Class 5A Bloomfield. The Bobcats kicked a field goal with 53 seconds left for a 17-16 lead. The Huskies went 80 yards in 28 seconds for the game-winner. … West Mesa quarterback Gabe Ramirez threw three touchdown passes, two to Brandon Bouldin, and the Mustangs’ defense stymied visiting Piedra Vista’s ground game in a 24-14 victory at Nusenda Community Stadium. … Moriarty (4-1) suffered its first loss, losing 14-7 in Santa Fe to Capital. … St. Pius (4-1) collected a solid road victory, 14-7 on Friday night at Lovington.
TODAY: The wait is over as the hotly anticipated matchup between No. 1 Rio Rancho and No. 3 Manzano, both 4-0, takes place at Wilson Stadium at 1 this afternoon.