Baldwin High football coach Mike Berg knows all about Gardner-Edgerton and the Trailblazers’ great team speed.

Last year, the Bulldogs brought their 2-0 record up against Gardner, only to be saddled with a 28-21 loss.

And, even though Gardner graduated its fastest skill players running back Davey Highfill and wide receiver Buck Kaufman, both All-Frontier League selections it’s not like the team lost everything. When Baldwin plays host to the Trailblazers at 7 tonight, the Bulldogs will be ready.

“They have that again this year,” Berg said. “You just have to try and contain it. We have to play good technique and be in the right spot. That’s the big thing, being in the right spot.”

Berg, now in his fifth season, installed new offensive and defensive schemes this season with the help of a new coaching staff. But he quickly deflects any credit to his players. He says they have embraced the concepts the coaches teach.

Especially when it comes to playing good defense.

“You want your kids to be aggressive, but you want it to be a controlled game,” Berg said. “On the one hand, you want them to fly to that ball, but you also want them to stay home.”

This year, the Bulldogs are once again 2-0, but they’re flush with confidence after last week’s 24-6 victory against Paola, their first since 1991.

Baldwin racked up 390 total yards against a formidable Panther defense. Junior Micah Mason had 124 yards on 13 carries, while seniors Justin Goff and Brian Lauridson had 98 and 85 yards, respectively. That kind of balance is just what Berg is looking for, and it bodes well with the Trailblazers coming up.

The ‘Blazers lost 32-31 to Clay Center last Friday, so Berg said his squad will be ready.

Though it’s not as though the schedule gets any easier after tonight.

Baldwin plays traditional Frontier League powers Louisburg and Spring Hill before wrapping up its non-district schedule against Eudora on Oct. 11. Then, it’s Santa Fe Trail, Topeka Hayden and Perry-Lecompton.

“Week after week it’s really gonna be hard for us,” Berg said. “That’s why were taking it week by week, one game at a time.”