If a high school football coach was hoping to catch a break in the schedule, now wouldn’t be the time.

Baldwin High coach Mike Berg knows that. Tonight’s 7 p.m. game at Fort Scott is proof.

Of the eight teams remaining in the Class 4A state playoffs, only one has a record worse than Baldwin’s 9-2 mark. And, obviously, a 9-2 record is a pretty good record to have.

It just goes to show that all the less-than-the-best teams now are out of the equation, and only the solid remain standing this late in the season.

“It’s going to be a real tough game,” Berg said. “When you get to this level, there are nothing but good teams left.”

And Fort Scott (10-1) might be better than any of them. The Tigers have been to the state-championship game each of the last four seasons, including a trip to last year’s final that stemmed from a 21-14 victory over Eudora in the semifinals.

Berg would be foolish not to recognize Fort Scott’s talent. But he’s not about to discredit his own, either.

“Fort Scott’s not very big, but they’re very athletic,” Berg said. “They have a lot of overall team speed.

“I think we have some team speed and size and strength. If we can eliminate mistakes, it’ll be a really good ball game.”

In Baldwin’s first two 4A state playoff games — victories over Eudora and Kansas City Piper — the Bulldogs drastically cut down on both turnovers and penalties, which cost them in their two losses this season.

In addition, they’ve paved the way for running back Micah Mason to have huge games. In the playoffs, Mason is averaging 255 rushing yards a game on an average of 27 carries.

Not surprisingly, Baldwin has scored more than 40 points in each game and won both of them convincingly.

“They know he’s going to run the ball. We know he’s going to run ball.” Berg said. “If he continues to do what he’s done so far, I think we have a real good shot at winning.”

Tonight’s winner will face the Coffeyville-Topeka Hayden winner Nov. 21.