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GREENSBORO - Just like James Harrison in last year's Super Bowl, Dudley's Chris Simmons had a chance to make a game-changing play. He didn't disappoint the home crowd.

With Smith driving for a potential game-tying score late in the second quarter, Simmons picked off a pass that was tipped by the Smith receiver at the Dudley 5-yard line and raced the other way for a 95-yard touchdown. That play helped the Panthers defeat the Eagles 22-0 Friday night.

"I was just telling the other guys to watch for the slant," said Simmons about his first touchdown. "I just went and got it. I knew my boys had my back so I just took off. We really stepped up tonight. Everybody's been saying all week how we aren't what we were last year. We just stepped up."

Dudley coach Steven Davis said he was pleased with the way his defense played all game and that play was just what they needed to put a stop to the Smith threat.

"We had a good game plan and thought we could stop them," Davis said. "Anytime you get a pick like that, it has the potential (to be returned) because all the receivers are downfield so all he has to beat is the linemen. That was a big play to stop momentum. They played us tough last year so we knew it would be tough again."

Not only did it take away Smith's only scoring opportunity of the first half, but it completely deflated them and the Eagles did not threaten to score the rest of the game.

"He (the receiver) just misjudged the ball," Smith coach Rodney Brewington said. "We're a young team so the next time we are in that situation, we can officially say that we've been there before. We dropped our heads, but we probably dropped them a little too much."

The Panthers struggled on offense against an aggressive Eagles defense. Devarris Martin started at quarterback in a Wildcat-type offense, but was ineffective. He was quickly replaced by Alex Moore. Dudley coach Steven Davis said that was in the game plan to just see what Martin could do.

But Dudley (5-1) took advantage of a short field when Smith (3-3) fumbled deep in its own territory. Three plays later, J.R. Peterson barrelled in from 5 yards out and Mycah Gaylord ran in the conversion for a 8-0 lead.

The Panthers wouldn't score another offensive touchdown until late in the fourth quarter when the Smith defense had definitely run out of gas. They pounded the ball downfield, holding the ball for nearly five minutes. Quarterback Alex Moore ran it in from 5-yards out and then added the conversion run to account for the final score.

"I'm just real proud of our team," said Brewington. "We're undersized so if we sit back we don't have a chance. You take away that TD and we are right there in the game. But that is the mark of a good team. They find a way to win."

Davis said he has seen improvement in his team each week and thinks they are getting close to where they need to be. He also believes Moore is progressing and becoming the leader the team needs.

"We're still battling some injuries, but we're getting close," Davis said. "He's got to be the leader. He's got to grow up. He can't be satisfied with being No.2."

D - J.R. Peterson 5 run (Mycah Gaylord run)

D - Chris Simmons 95 interception return (run failed)

D - Alex Moore 5 run (Moore run)