Declo 29, Malad 16

DECLO - Malad was able to overcome turnovers last time it played Declo, but not on Friday - when a whole lot more was on the line.

The Dragons turned the ball over twice on the goal line, including an interception that was returned 100 yards for a score, and their season ended with a 29-16 loss to Declo in the 2A state football playoffs.

Even though it beat Declo 26-22 two months ago, Malad had to travel to Declo again Friday because of playoff seeding.

Declo opened the scoring with a 100-yard interception return by Jeremy Jenkins en route to a 22-3 halftime lead. Unlike the last time the teams met, however, the Dragons couldn't overcome the three-score deficit.

Jade Clark and R.J. Cudney scored second-half touchdowns for the Dragons, who ended the season 7-2 with their only other loss coming to top-ranked Aberdeen.

"It was an unfortunate draw for us, but we put ourselves in this situation by losing to Aberdeen," Malad coach McKay Young said. "A couple plays made a huge difference."

Clark had 110 receiving yards, including his 25-yard score. Quarterback Kaden Goddard threw for 224 yards on 11-of-29 attempts.