The No. 2-ranked Baker football team defeated No. 13 Sterling, 44-21, in the first round of the NAIA playoffs Saturday at Liston Stadium.

photo by: Chris Duderstadt

Baker junior wide receiver Cornell Brown breaks free for a 37-yard run in the second quarter of the Wildcats' 44-21 win over Sterling Saturday at Liston Stadium in the first round of the NAIA playoffs.

photo by: Chris Duderstadt

Baker senior defensive back Hayden Jenkins tackles Sterling receiver TJ Brown in the Wildcats' first-round NAIA playoff win over the Warriors Saturday at Liston Stadium. The Wildcats upended the Warriors, 44-21.

photo by: Chris Duderstadt

Baker senior wide receiver Damon Nolan fights for extra yards in the Wildcats' 44-21 win Saturday over Sterling in the first round of the NAIA playoffs at Liston Stadium.

photo by: Chris Duderstadt

Baker defensive tackle Josh Kock takes down Sterling quarterback Cedrick Phillips in the backfield during the third quarter of BU's 44-21 win over the Crusaders in the first round of the NAIA playoffs Saturday at Liston Stadium. Phillips was flagged for intentional grounding on the play.

photo by: Chris Duderstadt

Baker freshman Naz Brown lunges toward the goal line in the third quarter of the Wildcats' 44-21 win over Sterling Saturday in the first round of the playoffs at Liston Stadium.

photo by: Chris Duderstadt

Baker sophomore receiver Jaylen Rose crosses the goal line for a 38-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter of BU's 44-21 win over Sterling in the first round of the NAIA playoffs Saturday at Liston Stadium.

photo by: Chris Duderstadt

Baker defensive coordinator Jason Thoren watches from the sidelines during the Wildcats' 44-21 win over Sterling Saturday at Liston Stadium in the first round of the NAIA playoffs. Thoren — who was a standout linebacker at Lawrence High and Kansas — has the Wildcats holding its opponents to 18.25 points per game.

photo by: Chris Duderstadt

Baker defensive end Nick Becker, left, and wide receiver Cornell Brown, right, hold up their player of the game plaques after the Wildcats' 44-21 win over Sterling Saturday in the first round of the NAIA playoffs. Becker — a Eudora product — had four sacks, and Brown — a Baldwin High alumnus — had 271 total yards and four touchdowns.