DECLO - To understand the magnitude of tonight's Class 2A state quarterfinal matchup between Declo and Malad, you only have to look back 14 months.

Sept. 19, 2008: Malad overcomes a 16-point second-half deficit to beat host Declo 26-22.

Oct. 31, 2008: Due to predetermined playoff brackets, Declo has hosting rights in the playoffs' first round and forces Malad to travel to Declo High, rather than play at Holt Arena in Pocatello, which chaps Malad's hide. Hornets avenge regular-season defeat with a 29-16 victory.

Sept. 11, 2009: During its bye week, the entire Malad team boards a bus and travels to Declo to scout the Hornets against Kimberly. Declo shows Malad plenty, putting up 42 points in the first quarter.

Sept. 18, 2009: Declo travels to Malad and beats the Dragons 36-10. Malad complains to the Idaho State Journal that it wasn't at full strength.

Tonight: The next chapter in the Declo-Malad saga unfolds. Kickoff is 8:45 at Holt Arena.

"It seems like in two years quite a competitive rivalry has developed between the two schools," said Declo coach Kelly Kidd.

When Declo (9-0) defeated Malad (7-2) earlier this season, Hornets quarterback Jeremy Jenkins had his worst showing of the year, completing 2 of 7 passes for 17 yards and an interception. But Declo's rushing attack more than made up for it, piling up 317 yards on 8.1 yards per carry.

And what about the newspaper clipping that implied Malad wasn't at full strength, but will be this time around?

"What they quoted in the paper made the team mad," said Jenkins. "They say they weren't at full strength, but we didn't play our best game, either. We're back with a vengeance, ready to put it to them."

Since that game, Malad (7-2) has blown through six straight victories, including last week's 46-12 drubbing of Ririe, in which the Dragons amassed 536 total yards of offense. Senior running back Caleb Bennett had 226 yards on 22 carries and senior quarterback Kaden Goddard completed 5 of 9 passes for 150 yards.

"They're a good, athletic team. I expect a really good game," Kidd said. "It's about blocking and tackling. The rest of it is immaterial. If we block well and tackle well, we'll win the game."

The victor will play the Kamiah-New Plymouth winner next week in the state semifinals.