Las Vegas, New Mexico - New Mexico Highlands opened the 2026 season in dramatic fashion Thursday night, holding off in-state rival Eastern New Mexico 35-34 in front of a big crowd at Sanchez Family Stadium.

The Cowboys never trailed, but had to withstand a late Eastern New Mexico rally before securing their second consecutive victory over the Greyhounds.

Quarterback Kadyn Parr accounted for four touchdowns, completing 14-of-20 passes for 224 yards and three scores while adding 63 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Ashton Bradford turned in a big night of his own, rushing for 109 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries while adding two receptions for 66 yards and another score.

New Mexico Highlands wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Dawson Chapman intercepted Eastern New Mexico on the Greyhounds' second offensive play, giving the Cowboys possession at the ENMU 39-yard line. Four plays later, Parr connected with Giovanni Ribalta for a 14-yard touchdown to give New Mexico Highlands a 7-0 lead.

Eastern New Mexico answered with a one-yard touchdown run to tie the game at seven.

The Cowboys regained the lead on the second play of the second quarter when Bradford capped a nine-play, 78-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run.

After the Greyhounds again tied the game, New Mexico Highlands struck quickly. Parr found Bradford for a 51-yard touchdown with 8:06 remaining in the half, putting the Cowboys back in front 21-14.

Eastern New Mexico tied the game at 21 before halftime, but the Cowboys' defense prevented the Greyhounds from taking their first lead in the closing seconds. Alexandre Serrano intercepted Jake South at the NMHU 12-yard line with 18 seconds remaining, sending the teams to halftime tied.

New Mexico Highlands broke the tie midway through the third quarter. Parr directed a nine-play, 65-yard drive and finished it himself, scrambling 13 yards for a touchdown to give the Cowboys a 28-21 advantage with 5:51 remaining in the quarter.

The Greyhounds answered just eight seconds into the fourth quarter on a 31-yard touchdown run, tying the game for the fourth time at 28-28.

New Mexico Highlands responded with what proved to be the decisive possession of the night.

Starting at their own 15-yard line, the Cowboys marched 85 yards on 13 plays while taking 8:19 off the clock. Parr converted a fourth-and-two from the ENMU three-yard line by finding Kerya Powell for the go-ahead touchdown with 6:27 remaining. Daniel Estrada's extra point gave New Mexico Highlands a 35-28 lead.

The Cowboys' defense then forced a turnover on downs at the NMHU 36 with 3:31 remaining, but Eastern New Mexico got one final opportunity and drove 65 yards for a touchdown with 1:34 remaining to pull the Greyhounds within 35-34.

Eastern New Mexico elected to go for the lead, but the two-point rushing attempt was stopped, preserving the Cowboys' one-point advantage. The ensuing onside kick went out of bounds, giving possession back to New Mexico Highlands.

Bradford then slammed the door, breaking a 29-yard run on the first play following the onside kick. Two Parr kneel-downs later, New Mexico Highlands had its first victory of 2026.

The Cowboys finished with 460 yards of total offense, including 236 on the ground, and held the ball for 37:26. New Mexico Highlands averaged 7.0 yards per play and finished with 24 first downs.

Bradford led the rushing attack with his 109 yards, averaging 8.4 yards per carry. Seven different Cowboys caught passes, led by Bradford's 66 receiving yards. Ribalta, Bradford and Powell each caught touchdown passes from Parr.

New Mexico Highlands improves to 1-0 and will now turn its attention to another in-state rivalry game when the Cowboys travel to Silver City to face Western New Mexico in the La Batalla Bowl on Thursday, September 3rd.