Baldwin's last victory over Wellsville came in 1993.
Is this the year?
Baldwin High, which has won just once in its past 24 games, will try to beat Wellsville tonight for the first time in six years. Kickoff for the Journal-World's area game of the week is 7 p.m.
"We've played them tough every year," BHS coach Mike Berg said of the Eagles (0-2). "They're a big rival for us since they're so close. The kids get up for it."
The Bulldogs have lost seven games in a row since a 55-0 romp of Anderson County in Week 4 last season. Baldwin's last victory over Wellsville (0-2) was a 32-12 decision in 1993, the last time the Bulldogs reached the state playoffs.
BHS has been on the brink of breaking its losing streak the first two weeks of the season. Paola rallied for a 28-20 victory over Baldwin in the opener. Gardner-Edgerton hung on for a 30-29 victory over the Bulldogs last week.
"We need to eliminate mistakes and keep playing hard on defense," Berg said. "We could have won both of those games. We were just a play away in both games. We've had our best week of practice. We need to pick up the intensity. The kids have stepped up."
Baldwin is averaging 338.5 yards total offense, second in the Frontier League behind Eudora (351.5).
"We have a lot of confidence in our ability," Berg said.
BHS junior quarterback Heath Knight ranks No. 1 in the league with 428 passing yards. He has completed 26 of 52 passes with three touchdowns.
Junior Ben Cosman ranks first in the league with 12 catches for 254 yards and three touchdowns.
Senior Taylor Reed ranks fifth in rushing with 26 carries for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
Wellsville opened its season with a 28-12 loss to Gardner-Edgerton. The Eagles lost last week, 45-8, to Louisburg, No. 1 in 4A.
Baldwin's lone two victories the past three-plus seasons have been against Anderson County. The last time Bulldogs beat someone other than AC was on Sept. 29, 1995, when Baldwin beat Eudora, 34-6.
-- Steve Rottinghaus' phone message number is 832-7152. His e-mail address is srottinghaus@ljworld.com
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