Kevin Hensley
For the last three years, I covered the Murphy High School football team. I witnessed head coach David Gentry surpass 400 career wins and accumulate two more state titles for the school, which has nine to its name.
On Friday night, I count myself lucky enough to cover my first Robbinsville Black Knights football game.
Yes, I have witnessed and been a part of the Big Oaks atmosphere before, so that last statement may not be entirely accurate. However, I was always on the visitor’s sideline, opposite the Knights.
It looks like I will remain there until Friday, Sept. 13, when Robbinsville finally plays its first home game against Rabun Gap, Ga. From what I witnessed during last week’s home scrimmage, I feel like the Knights will make my job easy.
It is extremely difficult and often taxing to cover a team that’s having … let’s say, an “off-year” and continually produce exciting content when things just are not going good. You can play it safe and stay the course (“just the facts, ma’am”), but it’s a lot easier when the team you are covering is on the up-and-up.
Thirteen state championships and as passionate a fan base as you will find in western North Carolina is what I have adopted for my next role. While standing outside of the Town of Lake Santeetlah meeting Monday, someone asked me what it would be like to “switch sides,” in terms of which team I am covering this year.
Needless to say, I am in as fine a situation as a converted sports reporter could hope for. But enough about me. It’s time for some football. For Robbinsville, the talent and depth is at its strongest. Make us proud, Black Knights.
Kevin Hensley is editor of The Graham Star. You can reach him by phone, 479-3383; email, editor@grahamstar.com; or Twitter @KevinHensleyCNI