The Class 4A seventh-ranked Bulldogs (10-1) will meet the unranked Pirates (8-2) in a 4A semifinal contest at 4 p.m.

Sixth-ranked Ontario meets top-ranked Marist in the other semifinal at noon. The winners of Saturday’s games meet Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. at Reser Stadium in Corvallis for the 4A title.

This is Baker’s fifth trip to the semifinals. Baker’s last semifinal visit came in 2006, a 26-7 loss to Sisters. The Bulldogs other semifinal games were in 1988 (lost to Philomath), 1993 (lost to Sherwood), and 2002 (lost to Ontario).

Phoenix’s last semifinal appearance was in 2005, a 54-41 loss to Marist. The Pirates have not made the playoffs since 2006.

Baker enters Saturday’s game coming off a 21-14 win over Astoria in a quarterfinal game at Bulldog Memorial Stadium.

Baker is averaging 34.3 points a game, and allowing 17.3.

Baker coach Dave Johnson said the Bulldogs don’t plan any major changes.

Two Richardsons will make the program during Saturday’s football game — one for Baker and one for Phoenix.

Trace, a senior, plays receiver for Baker.

Dalton, a sophomore, plays right guard and defensive tackle for Phoenix.

Baker High School Principal Jerry Peacock lamented the fact that due to work commitments he won’t be in attendance Saturday when the Bulldogs play Phoenix in the Class 4A state football semifinals in Hillsboro.

Because of his forced absence, Peacock challenged the Bulldogs during a brief visit before Wednesday’s practice at BHS.

“I can’t be there this week,” he said. “In fact I’ll be out of state. But I want you to help get me to Corvallis in two weeks.”

A Baker win Saturday would lift the Bulldogs into their first-ever state football title game Dec. 12 at Reser Stadium on the Oregon State University campus.

The Class 4A seventh-ranked Bulldogs will host the third-ranked and defending 4A champion Fishermen at 1 p.m. in a quarterfinal football contest.

The teams have met twice before with each winning once. Baker won 28-6 in 1993, and Astoria 47-6 in 1998.

“Astoria is a good football team,” said Baker coach Dave Johnson.

“It will be a great game. It’s nice to be able to play at home. It should be a nice afternoon of football.”

Baker enters the game coming off a 23-16 win at Stayton last Saturday. In that game, the Bulldogs came from behind in the second half to improve their record to 9-1.

“The kids kept their composure and played with great determination and poise,” Johnson said.

STAYTON — Jesse Brown hit Trace Richardson with a 14-yard touchdown pass with 1:59 left in the game Saturday to send Baker to a 23-16 victory over Stayton in the second round of the Class 4A state football playoffs.

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.