It’s been 12 years since Baldwin High played Topeka Hayden, a 34-0 loss in Baldwin just a year after Hayden pasted the Bulldogs, 58-14, in 1989.

Little connects either team to its current version, but Baldwin coach Mike Berg knows Hayden  which is traditionally ranked in Class 4A and won the 1998 state title  has history on its side.

“We know them just from their tradition and stuff,” Berg said. “We know they’re in the playoffs quite a bit.”

Hayden (7-1) may know a bit more about Baldwin (5-2) heading into a 7 p.m. matchup tonight at Hayden. Wildcat assistant Bobby Taul was head coach of the Bulldogs in 1996 and 1997, but Berg doesn’t think that will give the Wildcats an advantage.

“We’ve changed so much,” Berg said. “He knows the kids and was a good coach here, but we’re running different offenses and different defenses, so I don’t think that will be a factor.”

What could be a factor is the Wildcats’ option, featuring quarterback Jarod Tetuan and running back Steve Schuster. Tetuan has carried the ball 89 times for 657 yards, and Schuster has gained 780 yards on 98 carries.

“We’re going to have to contain their speed,” Berg said. “They live and die by the option. They run it to perfection and they run it a lot of different ways. We’ve been practicing against it and I’m not sure there’s a way to stop it, but we’re going to try to slow it down a little bit.”

Berg said this week’s soggy conditions could help his team stifle the Wildcats’ option, but he was more concerned about causing turnovers and forcing Tetuan into making bad decisions.

“We’re going to try to contain the option and try to make them make mistakes,” Berg said. “And then take advantage of those mistakes.”

Micah Mason leads Baldwin’s running attack, carrying the ball 137 times for 1,017 yards and 15 touchdowns. He gained 237 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s 34-20 victory against previously unbeaten Santa Fe Trail, and is averaging seven yards per carry and 145 yards per game.

The victory against the Chargers was Baldwin’s third in a row, a streak that also included a 33-32 win at Eudora. Those victories have given the Bulldogs confidence, but Berg isn’t worried his team will suffer a letdown.

“I think our kids aren’t over-confident,” Berg said. “But they’re playing really good ball right now and they’re excited for the opportunity. We’re peaking at the right time right now.”

A victory against Hayden would put the Bulldogs in control of District 6 at 2-0 with a game against Perry-Lecompton (3-3) left.

“It would be really huge,” Berg said. “We know we can play with anybody, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”