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Have you ever wanted something so bad you dreamt about it? That's Steve Davis' world this week. His 15-0 Dudley Panthers are on the brink of their second consecutive 3-AA title, and Davis has watched the same game film of his opponent, Kannapolis Brown, three, four, five times in a row until his brain gives out and he falls asleep in his armchair.

Even then, the film rolls on in his head.

"I'd rather be dreaming about Halle Berry," he said, "but that's all right."

This is the day the Panthers have been waiting for since they captured the school's first state title just over a year ago by handling Charlotte Catholic 28-20 in Chapel Hill. Davis said he attended a party at one of his coaches' houses that night, but the following day felt like just another chance to punch the clock. He's worn his championship ring maybe 10 times since, and most players were back in the weight room the following Monday.

"They really want it," Davis said. "Even though so many of them were there for it last year, people will always say it was the Class of '08's title. They want one of their own."

There's every reason to believe they can get it. Davis compared Brown to Richmond County, who the Panthers beat 19-14 in the season's second week. That was the last time Dudley had reason to sweat in the second half. Of their 13 games since, they've beaten every opponent but two by at least 27 points. They've outscored teams by 503 points this season; Brown has scored 427.

"(The coaches) do a good job making sure we don't get self-centered or egotistical about ourselves," senior lineman Cameron Ingram said. "We can win, and they'll still come in Monday just talking about how bad we did on everything else. It brings you back to Earth a little bit so you have to come back and work even harder."

The term "father figure" comes up often when people talk about Davis, and it's clear his reach with these players goes beyond the sidelines. Nobody commands more respect in the program than the fifth-year head coach, but he's also been known to counsel players on issues much more serious than wins and losses.

"We've been through a lot," sophomore lineman Demarcus Bell said. "We've tried to come together more as a family, as teammates. We've tried to make this a brotherhood, not just a team."

Which makes the potential history of this weekend even more meaningful to Davis. His team could become just the third Class 3 school in the last 25 years to repeat as state champions.

"That's an elite comparison in the coaching ranks," he said. "To be mentioned with the guys who have done it before is an honor in itself. But I'm happier for the kids. I'm old -- well, older -- and I'd be happy to see them have one."

There would be no better finish for this senior class, which can deliver a second straight title to a school that had gone more than 50 years without one. Senior lineman Kelton Sheppard remembers seeing so many of the seniors from last year's team crying on the field after the title game, but he didn't realize why until now.

"It'll be a sad day for us because we're like brothers out here," Sheppard said. "I'm ready for this Saturday so I can show the world what I've got."

Contact Tom Keller at 373-7034 or tom.keller@news-record.com