Bulldogs open playoffs at Stayton

Baker opens the 2009 Class 4A state football playoffs Saturday, traveling most of the way across the state to Stayton High School.

Baker (8-1) enters the playoffs as the Greater Oregon League runnerup, ranked seventh in the 4A poll. The Bulldogs have qualified for the playoffs each of the past nine years, including every year under Coach Dave Johnson.

Last year, the Bulldogs lost 26-21 to Banks in the second round of the playoffs.

The last time Stayton qualified for the 4A playoffs was in 2005. That year the Eagles lost 21-6 at Baker in the opening round of the playoffs.

Baker enters the post season coming off a 49-6 thumping of La Grande in the Bulldogs’ GOL finale two weeks ago. Baker is 4-1 on the road this season.

Johnson said whoever takes better care of the football Saturday should win the game.

“We have to win the turnover game (have fewer turnovers), and play great defense,” he said.

“Bottom line is we have to score more points than they do. That seems to be the usual deciding factor,” Johnson said, chuckling.

Stayton defeated North Marion 13-0 two weeks ago to win the Capital Conference crown. The Eagles are 5-0 at home this season.

“Stayton plays pretty physical,” Johnson said. “They have a fair number of healthy sized boys, and they like to run the ball.”

Stayton runs a “fly” offense which involves a lot of motion, and uses a 4-3 defense.

“They use a lot of motion on offense and run out of about three different looks on defense, Johnson said.

Saturday’s game may be played on wet, muddy turf at Stayton High School. Johnson said that won’t bother the Bulldogs.

“We practiced in mud for about 45 minutes the other night,” he said, referring to a recent practice where the Baker Fire Department sprayed water on the practice field.

“It could be similar to the Tillamook game in 2002,” Johnson said.

That game was played in a sea of mud at Tillamook. Baker won that game 36-14.

Johnson said the Bulldogs will be playing the game with heavy hearts after the passing of Jack Ferguson, “Baker’s No. 1 fan” earlier this week.

“Jack’s death whacked the kids pretty hard,” the Baker coach said. “He has been quite a figure around our program.

“He was a gentleman who was very well respected.”

Johnson said the seniors on the team have been around Ferguson all four years in school.

“Jack has been here that long and beyond,” Johnson said. “It’s a great thing when people two generations out can connect with the kids.”

The Bulldogs will wear a “JF” sticker on their helmets Saturday in rememberance of Ferguson.

Saturday’s game will kick off at 1 p.m. and be broadcast on KCMB 104.7-FM.

If Baker wins Saturday the Bulldogs would host the winner of tonight’s Astoria-Pleasant Hill Nov. 28 at 1 p.m. in Bulldog Memorial Stadium.