2025 Team Preview: Hot Springs Tigers
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<p><strong>2025 HOT SPRINGS TIGERS PREVIEW</strong></p>
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<p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p>
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<p>In Truth or Consequences, a town where basketball is king, Maximus Buckingham's first season as Hot Springs' head football coach was a success. The Tigers won four games and reached the Class 3A playoffs for the first time since 2019. Even Buckingham's return was something to celebrate as he's the fourth different Hot Springs head coach since 2021.</p>
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<p>“Last year we were a young team consisting mainly of freshmen and sophomores,” Buckingham told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “This year, we'll be mostly sophomores and juniors. We'll only have about five seniors.”</p>
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<p>One of Buckingham's most important objectives continues to be changing the culture surrounding the Hot Springs football program.</p>
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<p>“Some people here are comfortable with just making the playoffs,” Buckingham said. “That was considered worth it. But we've told our players that we're not here just to get to the first round of the playoffs.</p>
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<p>“I like how our players have responded. Our players have put in a lot of work. We did a lot in the spring and summer. Many of our guys participated in power lifting. We've beefed up quite a bit.” </p>
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<p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Top 3 Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1613430' first='Zaiden' last='Baker']</strong> (QB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854288' first='Tristan' last='Polanco']</strong> (WR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155121' first='Billy' last='Baca']</strong> (WR).</p>
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<p>Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613430' first='Zaiden' last='Baker']</strong> is the new quarterback for Hot Springs, replacing senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854288' first='Tristan' last='Polanco']</strong>, who's moved to slotback. Baker, who played receiver in 2024, barely missed qualifying for the state meet as a freshman in power lifting, so he's a strong guy. Polanco will be the backup QB in case something happens to Baker.</p>
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<p>Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137075' first='Lucas' last='Basile']</strong>, who bulked up considerably in the offseason, will be the No. 1 running back in addition to being one of Hot Springs' top defensive players. Basile was a Honorable Mention All-State selection as an inside linebacker in 2024. Sophomore <strong>Cole Montoya</strong> is expected to be the No. 2 RB. Montoya is shifty and elusive.</p>
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<p>With Baker shifting to quarterback, the top returning receiver for the Tigers is junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155121' first='Billy' last='Baca']</strong>, who averaged 23.4 yards per reception in 2024. Buckingham thought highly enough of Baca to put him at backup QB behind Polanco last season and he attempted 28 passes. Baca, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854288' first='Tristan' last='Polanco']</strong> and senior <strong>Aiden Jonas</strong> should be a formidable WR trio. Jonas is fairly new to football but has made remarkable progress in a short period of time.</p>
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<p>Sophomore center <strong>Dominic Terrazas</strong> anchors the Hot Springs offensive line. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1155335' first='Evan' last='Byers'], who's incredibly strong for his size, returns to one of the tackle spots. Senior <strong>Ruben Saenz</strong> will play the other tackle spot. One guard is expected to be junior <strong>Andrew Torres</strong>. The opposite guard spot is up for grabs among several contenders. </p>
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<p>“Dominic is a coach's son,” Buckingham said. “He understands football better than some coaches. But he's also very hard-working. Four-sport athlete.” </p>
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<p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Top 3 Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1137075' first='Lucas' last='Basile']</strong> (LB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854288' first='Tristan' last='Polanco']</strong> (LB), <strong>Aaron Gill</strong> (DL).</p>
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<p>Last season's top four tacklers for Hot Springs are back, led by ILB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137075' first='Lucas' last='Basile']</strong>, who had 92 tackles, 10.0 TFL and 4 forced fumbles during the regular season. OLB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854288' first='Tristan' last='Polanco']</strong> (68 tackles), SS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613430' first='Zaiden' last='Baker']</strong> (46) and senior DE <strong>Aaron Gill</strong> (42) also return to spark the defense on all three levels.</p>
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<p>Last season was Gill's first playing football, so he's only going to get better. He's also an elite power lifter and has gotten much stronger over the last six months.</p>
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<p>Joining Gill on the defensive line is NG <strong>Ruben Saenz</strong>. The DE spot opposite Gill is open for competition. <strong>Joell Terrazas</strong> joins Basile and Polanco at LB. <strong> </strong> <strong> </strong> <strong> </strong></p>
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<p><strong>2025 Hot Springs Football Schedule:</strong></p>
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<p>Aug. 22 TULAROSA (7 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Aug. 29 at Pojoaque Valley (7 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 5 at Capitan (7 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 12 at Thoreau (7 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 19 at NMMI (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Sept. 25 RUIDOSO (Thur., 7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 2 SOCORRO (Thur., 7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 10 Bye </p>
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<p>Oct. 17 HATCH VALLEY (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 24 at Dexter (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 31 at Cobre (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>* District 3A-3 Game</p>
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<p></p>
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2025 HOT SPRINGS TIGERS PREVIEW
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