Smith didn’t win, but it made a statement in Friday’s 34-23 loss to Dudley.

Its series losing streak extended to 15 games against the Panthers, but the loss was the closest margin since 2011. In the previous 13 games, the margin of victory averaged 44 points.

This was the series head coaching debut for Smith coach Parris Baxter, who came this spring after previously serving as Northeast Guilford’s interim coach for the 2024 season.

“It is a lot of growth from these gentlemen since I met them in May,” Baxter said. “I think we are doing an amazing job building the culture and I feel like we are one play, two plays away from knocking off our rival. We are no longer the little brother.”

Dudley (4-3, 3-0) leads the Metro 6A/7A by a half-game over Grimsley. Smith (2-4, 1-2) sinks to fifth in

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