Pack the dome. Black and Blue Bowl.

Pocatello (0-1) and Highland (1-0) square off in the annual cross-town rivalry game Friday at 7 p.m. in Holt Arena in Week 2’s Game of the Week.

Though the rivalry may have lost some intrigue with a third school (Century) added to the mix and Pocatello’s reclassification from 5A to 4A, the history of the game still captivates the city. Highland and Pocatello were the only high schools in the Gate City for over three decades.

“It’s a city game. Everybody shows up,” said Highland senior quarterback Connor Harding. “It’s been a tradition.”

Recent history is severely one-sided, with Highland winning the last four matchups while outscoring Pocatello 152-27. The Indians’ last victory came in 2010, a 25-17 final in a year they went 8-2.

“We’re not too worried about recent history. We’re worried about Friday night,” said Poky coach Dave Spillett. “That’s all we’ve talked about. It wouldn’t matter who we we’re playing. We’re going to be ready.”

Highland’s Gino Mariani coached Spillett at Pocatello back in the early ’90s and it’s Spillett’s first crack at coaching in the long-standing rivalry. Mariani and Highland beat Spillett and Century all five years the first-year Pocatello coach donned purple and black.

“It’s always fun to coach against him,” Spillett said. “Just a ton of mutual respect between the two of us. ... It’s going to be a good battle between two really good coaching staffs and two really good football teams.”

TEAM BREAKDOWN: POCATELLO

In its first game using Spillett’s spread attack, Poky ran 81 plays and gained 564 yards of total offense in a 38-32 loss at Twin Falls. Junior quarterback Will Schumber threw for 404 yards, five touchdowns, three interceptions and hit 10 different receivers. Pocatello committed four turnovers in the red zone and was outscored 16-0 in the fourth quarter.

“The only people that stopped the Poky offense last week was the Poky offense,” Spillett said.

The Indians’ defense was carved for 326 rushing yards on 44 attempts (7.4 yards per carry) but still held a 10-point lead with 12 minutes to play. Pocatello won’t be able to have a bad quarter against the top-ranked Rams.

“Just keep our heads on us. No mental mistakes,” said senior linebacker Colter Brown. “Make sure we got all 11 (players) flying at the ball every play.”

Schumber put up huge numbers in his quarterback debut and credited his offensive line with solid protection. Spillett raves about the weapons at his disposal, including Antwon Thomas and Jarom Campos, who combined to haul in 19 receptions for 299 yards.

“We’re going to be a tough get,” Spillett said.

TEAM BREAKDOWN: HIGHLAND

The defending 5A state champs buckled down and defeated Utah’s American Fork last Saturday in the Rocky Mountain Rumble, 28-21.

Harding completed 22 of 30 passes for 191 yards and ran for 27 more. He used nine different receivers, but 10 of his completions were to running backs. Highland has five new starters along the offensive line this season and Harding was forced to be mobile.

“Saturday I thought we did a lot of good things,” Harding said. “We have a long ways to go to get where we need to be.”

The Rams were held to 79 yards on 30 carries against American Fork (2.6 yards per carry) and the offense had two scoring drives that started on their half of the field. One touchdown drive began in Cavemen territory after a fumble and another was a pick-six.

“It’s getting there,” Mariani said of the offense.

Highland’s defense was in the backfield all night and snagged two huge interceptions to seal the win in the fourth quarter. The defensive line forced a fumble on American Fork’s first play and ended the night with a handful of sacks.

KEY MATCHUP

Poky’s offense against Highland’s D-line.

The Indians’ offense is predicated on quick plays and options. Schumber will have to get rid of the ball in a hurry to avoid the swarm of Highland’s rush. The ability of Pocatello’s offensive line to contain the Rams’ monstrous front four will determine whether Schumber can pick apart the defense, or he’s forced to scramble and avoid negative plays.

PREDICTION

History repeats itself. Highland’s greatest strength (defense) is a bad matchup for Poky’s greatest strength (offense). The Rams are 44-14 all-time against Pocatello. They win 45-14 to take a 45-14 all-time series lead.