news-record.com

GREENSBORO - The Dudley Panthers used two long second half drives to scratch out a 12-7 victory over previously unbeaten Northern Guilford on Friday night.

After a scoreless first half, the Panthers drew first blood in the third quarter. Denzel Jones came up with an interception, giving Dudley the ball at the Northern 34-yard line.

The Panthers (2-1) ran the ball five straight times, the last four going to J.R. Peterson, who scored a touchdown on an end around to the right side.

The Dudley defense forced a three-and-out on the next Northern possession and then embarked on a 13-play drive. The Panthers went down to the Nighthawks' 25-yard line before turning the ball over on downs.

Taking over with just over 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Northern star Keenan Allen stunned the Dudley crowd with back-to-back incredible plays.

Taking over at quarterback, Allen rushed for 21 yards on 3rd-and-16. The very next play Allen combined with Maurice Harris on a 49-yard touchdown pass and the Nighthawks (2-1) took the lead on the extra point.

"Our QB (Rocco Scarfone) has been sick all week and he couldn't go at the very end," Northern coach Johnny Roscoe said. "We put Keenan back there and he makes plays wherever he goes. If there's a better one in America, I haven't seen him."

Panthers coach Steven Davis agreed, saying of Allen, "I think he's the best player in the state."

But Dudley still had 8:21 on the clock and simply pounded a worn-down Northern defense with a 14-play, 66-yard drive, which culminated on a 9-yard touchdown run by fullback Mycah Gaylord, who took the ball up the middle and broke to the left sideline to score the game winner.

"We said coming into the game we wanted to control the game with the ball on the ground just to keep the ball out of their hands because they have so many weapons," Davis said. "In the second half I think we proved ourselves."

For a moment it looked like the Panthers may have left too much time on the clock. Allen completed two passes and also had two runs and the Nighthawks had the ball on the Dudley 49.

But Chris Simmons came up with an interception, his second pick of the night, to clinch the game for the Panthers.

Davis was pleased with the win, especially with Dudley forced to play with its third-string quarterback.

"Demetrius (Dick) has not practiced since the first week," Davis said of his first-string quarterback. "He had some type of illness but I think he'll be back practicing this week. Our second team guy (Alex Moore) got hurt so we went with our third team guy (Adrian Slade) and held on for a win."

Roscoe was disappointed with the loss by proud of the effort his team showed against the two-time defending state champions.

"We just want people to know that there's positive things at Northern Guilford instead of what they read which is all negative," Roscoe said. "We're proud of our players."

D - J.R. Peterson 4 run (run failed)

N - Maurice Harris 49 pass from Keenan Allen (kick good)

D - Mycah Gaylord 9 run (run failed)