Site: Dudley High School, Greensboro
The once stirring rivalry between the Dudley and Smith is but a distant memory, as the defending 3-AA Panthers demolished the winless Golden Eagles, 36-0.
Dudley came in with six straight wins in the series and left little doubt it would extend the streak to seven. The Panthers defense forced a three-and-out and two plays after a bad snap on the punt attempt, quarterback Ricky Lewis scored from two yards out, the first of his three scores for the night.
"Rickey's been carrying us all year," Dudley coach Stephen Davis said. "Well, not really carry us but been doing good all year. He's picked up where he left off last year and it's a great thing that as a senior he can continue to progress like he's doing."
The Panthers scored on their final three possessions of the half to take a 29-point lead into intermission. They dominated the line of scrimmage and broke open big holes for Lewis and Fred Overby, who scored on a 13-yard run.
Lewis connected with Tayshawn Lowe on a touchdown play on the final snap of the half to cap an eight-play, 60-yard scoring drive. It was more of the same in the second half, with the only question being if Dudley could hold on for its second shutout in the rivalry since 2004.
Smith, which drove to the Dudley 3-yard line in the first half thanks to a 35-yard run by punter Antwain Nevious only to miss a chip-shot field goal, had a chance to score late in the game when it got the ball on the Panthers 12. But Davis brought Dudley's first-string defense back out on the field to preserve the shutout and the regulars responded by forcing Smith to lose 10 yards as time expired.
"Yes we did," said Davis of wanting the shutout. "We pride ourself on our defense. We think we have a good defense. You shut out a team like Grimsley last week and you don't want to have a letdown the following week. I want to keep them as high as possible right now."
The Panthers (4-0) are as high as can be after back-to-back shutouts over key rivals. Davis has his eye on Page next week but also an undefeated season.
"That's always the goal, not to lose any," Davis said. "But hopefully we play our best if we lose. If we play 100 percent and lose I can live with that."
The Eagles (0-4) have to live with a 25-game losing streak. Davis thinks the game with Smith can return to its former importance.
"Give the coach over there a chance and don't run him out so fast," Davis said. "I think he's doing a great job with those guys right now. Give him a chance, let him get his recruiting classes in."
While the Eagles look to return to former glory, the Panthers have won seven straight games over their rivals by a combined 273-57 since their last win in 2001, which came by a 12-6 score.
Records: Smith 0-4; Dudley 4-0.
| Smith | Dudley | |
| First downs | 6 | 13 |
| Rushes-yards | 26-84 | 38-204 |
| Passing yards | 45 | 65 |
| Comp-Att-Int | 2-14-2 | 4-6-0 |
| Punts-average | 4-27.3 | 3-27.7 |
| Fumbles-lost | 0-0 | 2-1 |
| Penalties-yards | 9-72 | 11-80 |
| Smith | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 |
| Dudley | 8 | 21 | 7 | 0 | - | 36 |
D - Rickey Lewis 2 run (Rakeem Overby run)
D - Fred Overby 13 run (2-point conversion failed)
D - Lewis 20 run (Lewis kick)
D - Tayshawn Lowe 29 pass from Lewis (J.R. Peterson run)
D - Lewis 7 run (Lewis kick)
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