2023 Team Preview: Hot Springs Tigers
Photo: Twitter
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<p><strong>Hot Springs 2023 Preview</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Dennis Barnes (Hired June 22) </p>
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<p><strong>Mascot</strong>: Tigers </p>
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<p><strong>Twitter</strong>: @tdbxiii </p>
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<p><strong>Colors</strong>: Blue and Red </p>
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<p><strong>2022 Record</strong>: 2-8 </p>
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<p><strong>Overview</strong>: The last couple of years have not been kind to Hot Springs. The Tigers were in the news for all the wrong reasons in 2021 and they finished 2-8 last fall. Last November, head coach Philip Camp was diagnosed with cancer and he resigned his position, returning to the Houston area. However, Thursday's hiring of former UTEP defensive back Dennis Barnes, one of three candidates interviewed for the job, as the Tigers' new head coach should bring renewed energy and enthusiasm to the program. His first priority is to get the numbers up. Right now, about 15 players are regularly showing up for summer workouts.</p>
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<p>Six-foot-4, 220-pound rising senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275479' first='Kaidyn' last='Lanham']</strong>, a three-sport standout, is the engine of Hot Spring's offense right now. He threw for over 1,000 yards and rushed for 254 yards in 2022. New Mexico Highlands has expressed interest. Behind him is 6-foot-2, 180-pound rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854288' first='Tristan' last='Polanco']</strong> and freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155121' first='Billy' last='Baca']</strong>. After making a team-high 37 receptions last season, rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615685' first='Ashton' last='Garcia']</strong> should be the top target in the passing game. Garcia possesses good speed and strength, and he has a high football IQ.</p>
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<p>Polanco will be another receiver if he doesn't win the QB job. <strong>Moises Echavarria</strong> brings speed to the WR position. Promising rising sophomore <strong>Caden Chatfield</strong>, a talented power lifter, has the chavinside edge for the No. 1 RB job but he'll be challenged by rising seniors <strong>Daniel Montoya</strong> and <strong>Sammy Acosta</strong>. Several starting offensive linemen return, including center <strong>Brandon Baca</strong> (6-3, 270), <strong>Ruben Saenz</strong> and <strong>Nick West</strong> (6-5, 275), so the Tigers are blessed with some good size along the offensive front. Lanham, Polanco and Garcia are expected to spearhead the Hot Springs defense.</p>
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<p><strong>2023 Schedule</strong>: Hot Springs plays six home games in 2023, which should be helpful to Barnes as he builds the Tigers program. </p>
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<p>Aug. 18 TULAROSA</p>
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<p>Aug. 25 at Capitan</p>
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<p>Sept. 1 at Anthony (TX)</p>
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<p>Sept. 8 EUNICE</p>
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<p>Sept. 15 NMMI</p>
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<p>Sept. 22 Bye</p>
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<p>Sept. 29 CROWNPOINT</p>
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<p>Oct. 6 at Mescalero Apache</p>
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<p>Oct. 13 HATCH VALLEY*</p>
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<p>Oct. 20 at Cobre*</p>
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<p>Oct. 27 SOCORRO*</p>
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<p>*District Game </p>
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<p><strong>Coach's Comments</strong>: “If you go back and look at the history of Hot Springs football and the pedigree that has come out of here, there's been a lot of talent. It just needs to be utilized properly. It will take somebody special to come in and see that and put that talent to use. . .At the quarterback position, barring injuries, we should be set for a while with Kaidyn, Tristan and Billy. You can't teach 6-foot-4, 220 pounds and a cannon for an arm, and that's what Kaidyn brings to us. He's a physical specimen. If he has good numbers this season, I'll think he'll turn the heads of a lot of college coaches in New Mexico. . .After Ashton, if we get some other skill guys up to speed, Hot Springs football could be a force to be reckoned with the right coach. . .We decided to go with a young coach that will bring some enthusiasm, charisma, spunk and discipline to the program.” – Hot Springs Assistant Coach Jason Garcia. </p>
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