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GREENSBORO — A large crowd is expected at Smith High School on Friday night for what promises to be one of the more competitive football games in years between Dudley and the undefeated Eagles.

Dudley (4-1), the No. 1 team in the News & Record's most recent area high school football rankings, is coming off a 33-8 drubbing by Durham Hillside and Georgia Tech-bound quarterback Vad Lee. Smith (5-0) is surging and hasn't won its first six games to open a season since the 1970s, football coach Rodney Brewington said.

Smith athletics director Jerry Meusel said the school is adding extra security and end-zone seating at Manzi Stadium to accommodate the expected crowd. He estimated the stadium can seat 5,000 and that 7,000 will be able to get into the venue for Friday's 7:30 p.m. game.

"At some point we're going to have to cut it off," Meusel said. "When we see we're at capacity, we're just going to have to shut the gates."

Advance tickets will go on sale Thursday and Friday during lunch period at Smith and will cost $6. The school will begin selling tickets at the gate between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Friday, Meusel said. Those wishing to tailgate should contact the high school to reserve a spot.

Athletics director Joe Godette said Dudley had no advance tickets available as of Monday, but that may change.

"Historically, it's been a natural rivalry," Godette said. "Both teams look forward to it, and our fans and the community look forward to it. No matter really what the records have been in the past, it's still been a big game for both teams."

Dudley and Smith drew an estimated 18,000 spectators when they played at N.C. A&T's Aggie Stadium in 2001. They attracted about 9,000 fans at Grimsley's Jamieson Stadium in 2003 and 2005 and 11,000 at Aggie Stadium in 2006.

Meusel said there had been talk about moving this year's game to a larger venue "by other people, but not by us."

"Everybody is trying to talk us into moving it, but those are mainly Dudley people," Meusel said. "We'd like the home-field advantage and like to play at our place ... and next year or the following year, if things stay the same, if we're still this competitive, then that could be looked at later. But from the beginning we've always wanted it here."

Contact Jason Wolf at 373-7034 or jason.wolf@news-record.com