BALDWIN — The football rebuilding phase is well under way at Baldwin High School.

The Highlanders reached the WPIAL playoffs last year for the first time since 2009. They return a fourth-year starter at quarterback and are bidding for their first winning season in well over a decade.

They look to take a big step toward attaining that goal when they take on Butler (0-1) at 7:30 p,m. Friday at Art Bernardi Stadium.

“Our goal is to play meaningful games in October and November,” second-year Baldwin coach Pete Wagner said. “You do that by getting better week in and week out.

“We left ourselves plenty of room for improvement last week.”

Baldwin defeated Ambridge, 10-7, in its opener as senior quarterback Doug Altavilla threw for 105 yards — completing 10 of 17 passes — and scored on a 6-yard run. Younger brother Nick Altavilla had five receptions for 82 yards.

The elder Altavilla has thrown for more than 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns for Baldwin. He tossed for 1,705 yards and 21 TDs last season.

“Doug has been productive, but more importantly, he's a leader. He has an outstanding presence in the huddle,” Wagner said.

Running back Rocco Ruscitto led the Highlanders' ground game with 139 yards last week.

“We graduated a 1,000-yard rusher last year (Nick Barca), so that was good to see,” Wagner said of Ruscitto's performance. “We're always looking to be a balanced offense.”

Baldwin's line is anchored by 6-foot-8, 305-pound tackle Sterling Jenkins, a Penn State recruit. He plays on both sides of the ball in high school, but the Nittany Lions like him as a left tackle.

The Highlanders return seven starters offensively and nine on the defensive side of the ball.

“We've got some experience. Our defense played particularly well last week,” Wagner said. “We treat football as a basic game that comes down to blocking and tackling.

“We devote a lot of time in practice to those two areas.”

Wagner said junior nose tackle Zach Brown had a particularly strong game last week. He stands 6-foot-0 and weighs 290 pounds.

“He's an explosive kid who comes off the ball well,” the coach said. “He was a standout on defense last week.”

Sophomore kicker Anoj Sharma was Baldwin's varsity kicker as a freshman. He booted a 21-yard field goal against Ambridge.

“He made all of his PATs last year and both of his field goal attempts,” Wagner said. “He finally missed a kick last week. We tried a field goal that was probably a little out of his range.

“Our special teams have been firm. We haven't been making mistakes there.”

Wagner expects a physical game at Butler. The Golden Tornado are coming off a 28-10 loss at Altoona.

Butler is 6-2 all-time against Baldwin, but the schools haven't played each other in football since 1989.

“This is their home opener and I know they like to play physical football,” Wagner said. “You have to prepare to get knocked around when you play Butler.

“We need to get on the bus and go up there with a business-like approach.”