LAS VEGAS, N.M. — The No. 10 Hot Springs Tigers advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Nusenda Credit Union State Football Championships after defeating the No. 7 West Las Vegas Dons 34-7 Saturday afternoon.

Junior quarterback Zaiden Baker (#4) accounted for four touchdowns, rushing for three and throwing another, while senior Billy Baca (#18) intercepted three passes as Hot Springs built a 27-7 halftime lead and held West Las Vegas scoreless in the second half.

West Las Vegas appeared to strike first when junior quarterback Fiddel Herrera (#11) connected with senior John Vigil (#18) on a 48-yard touchdown pass on the Dons’ opening possession. However, a procedure penalty negated the score, and the drive eventually ended in a punt.

After both teams struggled offensively on their next possessions, Baca returned a West Las Vegas punt to the Dons’ 28-yard line. Despite consecutive high snaps that disrupted the Tigers’ offense, Baker broke through the middle of the defense for an eight-yard touchdown run. Senior Andre Gomez (#5) converted the extra point, giving Hot Springs a 7-0 lead with 5:09 remaining in the first quarter.

Baca intercepted a pass on West Las Vegas’ ensuing possession, and a penalty during the return gave Hot Springs possession at the Dons’ 21-yard line. Herrera was ejected following the penalty.

Baker capitalized on the turnover with his second rushing touchdown, this time from seven yards out. Junior James Oros (#33) added the two-point conversion, extending the Tigers’ lead to 15-0 late in the first quarter.

Hot Springs recovered a surprise onside kick on the ensuing kickoff before executing a trick play in which Baker handed the ball to senior Aaron Gill (#12), who pitched it to Baca. Baca then connected with Baker on a 22-yard pass.

Gill opened the second quarter with a 24-yard touchdown run, extending the Tigers’ lead to 21-0 after an unsuccessful two-point conversion.

With senior Caydin Encinias (#2) replacing Herrera at quarterback, West Las Vegas put together its only scoring drive of the afternoon. The Dons relied heavily on their ground game before junior Santiago Medrano (#4) connected with senior AJ Trujillo (#21) on a seven-yard touchdown pass. Medrano converted the extra point, cutting Hot Springs’ lead to 21-7 with 6:48 remaining in the first half.

Hot Springs responded with another scoring drive, overcoming multiple penalties before Baker connected with Baca on a 29-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion failed, leaving the Tigers ahead 27-7 with 2:35 remaining before halftime.

Tensions flared on the ensuing kickoff, resulting in three personal fouls, two against West Las Vegas and one against Hot Springs.

Baca intercepted Medrano on the following possession, but consecutive sacks forced Hot Springs to punt. The Dons regained possession with 38 seconds remaining before Baca intercepted another Medrano pass for his third interception of the half.

Hot Springs entered halftime leading 27-7.

The Tigers opened the second half by leaning heavily on Gill and their ground game, repeatedly attacking the left side of the West Las Vegas defense. Baker capped the opening possession with a two-yard touchdown run, and Gomez converted the extra point to extend the lead to 34-7 with 8:04 remaining in the third quarter.

West Las Vegas threatened to respond, advancing to the Hot Springs 3-yard line before a holding penalty negated an apparent touchdown run by Encinias.

The Dons worked their way back inside the 10 before facing fourth-and-goal. Baca intercepted a pass from Medrano, but a defensive pass interference penalty negated the turnover and gave West Las Vegas another opportunity.

On the repeated fourth-down attempt, Encinias rolled left toward the end zone but fumbled before crossing the goal line. The ball went out of bounds at the 1-yard line, resulting in a turnover on downs.

Hot Springs carried its 34-7 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Tigers continued relying on their rushing attack, while their defense forced another turnover on downs near midfield. Hot Springs later advanced into the red zone before Gill fumbled, with West Las Vegas junior DeAndre Dosanjos (#24) recovering and returning the ball to the Dons’ 26-yard line.

Medrano attempted one final pass toward Vigil, but Baca broke up the throw as time expired.

The Tigers appeared to be a different team from the one that fell 55-19 to Hope Christian just over two weeks earlier. Throughout Saturday’s game, coaches worked individually with players while communicating with one another along the sidelines. Players appeared receptive to instruction, and the team’s confidence remained steady throughout the afternoon.

Late in the game, one player called out a defensive play, drawing an approving “Yeah!” from a coach on the sideline. Even with a commanding lead, Hot Springs remained engaged and continued competing through the final whistle.

According to figures cited during the NFHS Network broadcast, West Las Vegas was penalized 16 times, compared with nine penalties against Hot Springs.

Hot Springs will face No. 2 Hope Christian in the Class 3A quarterfinals Saturday, Nov. 14, in a rematch of the Tigers’ 55-19 regular-season loss to the Huskies just over two weeks earlier. A kickoff time has not yet been confirmed.

West Las Vegas finishes its season with a 7-4 record.