TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, N.M. — Junior quarterback Zaiden Baker (#4) rushed for three touchdowns as the Hot Springs Tigers defeated the Hatch Valley Bears 20–14 at Tiger Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 8, ending the Tigers’ nearly 19-year wait for a home victory over their Interstate 25 rivals.

The Oct. 8 matchup marked another chapter in the rivalry between the two schools in District 2 of New Mexico’s Class 3A. Following Thursday’s game, Hatch Valley held a 16–4 advantage in the head-to-head series dating to 2004. Before the matchup, Hot Springs had not defeated the Bears at Tiger Stadium since Nov. 9, 2007.

Hot Springs struck first when quarterback Baker broke free for a 46-yard rushing touchdown. A failed 2-point conversion left the Tigers with a 6–0 lead. Hatch Valley responded with a drive that nearly ran out the first-quarter clock. On third-and-goal, Hatch Valley quarterback Nano Turner (#4) rushed for a 10-yard touchdown to even the score. A successful extra point gave the Bears a 7–6 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter produced little offense as both teams struggled to move the ball. With just over two minutes remaining before halftime, Hatch Valley senior Felipe Carranza (#22) found a lane near the goal line and rushed for a touchdown. A successful extra point extended the Bears’ lead to 14–6. Hot Springs senior Billy Baca (#18) intercepted a Hatch Valley pass on fourth-and-15 to close out the Bears’ possession. With less than a minute remaining in the half, the Tigers were unable to capitalize on the turnover and move the ball downfield before halftime.

Hot Springs opened the second half with a fair catch on the kickoff and began its drive at the Hatch Valley 43-yard line following a penalty related to the fair catch. Baker used both his arm and legs to move the Tigers downfield. On third down from the Hatch Valley 9-yard line, Baker scrambled for a touchdown, his second rushing score of the game. The Tigers converted the 2-point attempt to tie the score at 14–14. Both teams traded punts and failed fourth-down conversion attempts, leaving the score unchanged for the remainder of the third quarter. Through three quarters, the teams were nearly even on the ground, with Hatch Valley recording 163 rushing yards and Hot Springs 160. The Tigers held the advantage through the air, totaling 53 passing yards to the Bears’ zero.

Hot Springs opened the fourth quarter facing second-and-13 after back-to-back false start penalties. Baker ran for a first down before connecting with Baca on a contested 32-yard completion that moved the Tigers into the red zone. With the crowd growing louder, junior Bodee Rainer (#24) followed the big gain with a first-down run to the Hatch Valley 5-yard line. Baker was stopped at the line of scrimmage on first-and-goal but rushed for a 5-yard touchdown on second down. A failed 2-point conversion left Hot Springs ahead 20–14 with just under 10 minutes remaining.

Hatch Valley responded with a drive into the red zone. A holding penalty negated an 11-yard run on third-and-3, forcing the Bears into third-and-13. Hot Springs’ defense penetrated the line and limited Hatch Valley wide receiver Dylan Acosta (#3) to a 2-yard gain on a reverse to the right, setting up fourth-and-11. After a pair of timeouts, senior quarterback Turner looked for an open receiver and threw beyond the first-down marker, but Hot Springs defenders broke up the pass to force a turnover on downs. The Tigers took over at their own 27-yard line with fewer than four minutes remaining.

Baker gained 2 yards on first down. On second down, he kept the ball and ran to his right before a Hatch Valley defender was called for a horse-collar tackle, giving the Tigers a first down with fewer than three minutes left. Hot Springs continued to run the ball, with Baca gaining 12 yards on two carries before Baker took a knee to seal the 20–14 victory.

Hot Springs junior quarterback Baker completed 5 of 10 passes for 63 yards and rushed for 122 yards on 15 carries with three touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Baca caught four passes for 61 yards, completed a 20-yard pass and rushed for 13 yards, totaling 94 all-purpose yards. Baca led the Tigers’ defense with 14 total tackles and an interception, while junior running back/defensive back Cole Montoya (#20) recorded 11 total tackles and a sack.

Hatch Valley senior running back/middle linebacker Peet Bothma (#8) and senior running back/outside linebacker Carranza led the Bears offensively. Bothma rushed for 92 yards on 13 carries and scored a touchdown, while Carranza added 61 yards on 16 carries. Bothma also led Hatch Valley’s defense with 11 tackles and one tackle for loss.

Hot Springs traveled to Roswell on Friday, Oct. 16, and defeated district opponent New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) 28–16. The victory improved the Tigers’ record to 5–3 overall and 3–2 in district play. Hot Springs returns home to face Hope Christian of Albuquerque on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Tiger Stadium.

Hatch Valley hosted the Socorro Warriors on Friday, Oct. 16, and scored 56 points before halftime while holding Socorro scoreless. The Bears travel to Moriarty on Friday, Oct. 23, for their next district matchup.