Football Game Preview: Dexter Demons vs. Hot Springs Tigers

The Dexter Demons will face off against the Hot Springs Tigers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. One thing working in Dexter's favor is that they have posted at least 31 points in their last four matchups.

For some reason, the away team has come away with the win the last five times Dexter and New Mexico Military Institute have met, but the home crowd finally got their W on Friday. The Demons strolled past the Colts with points to spare, taking the game 34-16.

Dexter got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Alexis Castro out in front who picked up 110 receiving yards and one touchdown, and also rushed for 104 yards and one TD on only five carries. The bulk of those rushing yards came from one huge play: a run that gained an incredible 68 yards. Another back making a difference was Garet Gonzalez, who rushed for 101 yards and a pair of scores on only nine carries.

They were just one part of a punishing run game: Dexter was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 286 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 171 rushing yards in nine consecutive contests dating back to last season.

Another reason for the win was Dexter's imposing defense, which managed to get into the backfield for four sacks. That dominant display was truly a team effort as four different players picked up one apiece.

Meanwhile, after soaring to 41 points the game before, Hot Springs was a bit more limited in their game on Friday. The matchup between the Tigers and Hatch Valley didn't end well, with the Tigers falling 32-13. The Tigers have struggled against the Bears recently, as the game was their sixth consecutive lost matchup.

Dexter's win bumped their record up to 6-1. As for Hot Springs, their loss dropped their record down to 4-4.

Everything came up roses for Dexter against Hot Springs in their previous matchup back in October of 2024, as the squad secured a 38-2 victory. In that contest, the Demons amassed a halftime lead of 30-2, an impressive feat they'll look to repeat on Friday.