The annual Page–Grimsley football rivalry lived up to its intensity Friday night, even if the final score didn’t show it. Despite facing one of the top-ranked teams in North Carolina, the Page Pirates held their own early before falling 48–14 to the Grimsley Whirlies.

Grimsley entered the matchup missing their star quarterback, a Tennessee commit, but that didn’t slow them down. In his place, a freshman stepped up and showed poise beyond his age, commanding the offense and delivering big plays when it mattered most. Page came out strong in the first quarter, with the defense making a statement early. An interception by the Pirates’ secondary set up a long touchdown that brought the home crowd to life. For much of the first half, Page’s defense matched Grimsley’s energy, keeping the game close and forcing the Whirlies to work for every yard.

However, after halftime, Grimsley’s depth and experience began to take over. The Whirlies’ offense found its rhythm, scoring repeatedly while shutting down Page’s attempts to respond. By the fourth quarter, Grimsley had built a commanding lead, sealing the 48–14 victory. While the score favored Grimsley, the Pirates showed flashes of grit and potential that could carry them forward in the season. Holding their own early against one of the state’s best programs proved that Page is capable of competing at a high level—and they’ll look to build on that as conference play continues