Robbinsville PeeWees clinch Cracker Bowl championship
Franklin – It was a nailbiter, but Robbinsville got the job done.
Playing Murphy (6-4) in the Cracker Bowl championship game Saturday in Franklin, the PeeWee Black Knights (8-2) held a 12-0 for the majority of the battle, until a late Bulldogs surge resulted in a touchdown and 2-point conversion that gave Robbinsville faithful a scare.
However, the Knights shored up during the waning seconds of play and received the 2019 championship as a reward.
“At the beginning of the season in July, if you told me that the PeeWees would win the Cracker Bowl, I probably would have laughed and disagreed with you,” said coach Jonathan Allison. “But here we are in November, with a group of first-time football players and first-time assistant coaches as Cracker Bowl champions.
“I have watched these kids dance, laugh, cry and really enjoy the game of football. I am very proud of these guys and I thank God that I was able to coach the PeeWees this year. I am looking forward to next season and hopefully we can repeat and bring another championship to Robbinsville. Thank you to the parents, grandparents, and all the coaches.”
The Robbinsville Mites and Midgets also vied for a championship Saturday, but came up short in a 24-6 loss to the hosting Panthers (Mites) and a 26-0 defeat at the hands of Swain County (Midgets).
Murphy would win the Termites championship in an 18-0 shutout over Cherokee.
The Graham Star would like to extend a special thanks to Jenny Millsaps for her assistance with Robbinsville youth football coverage this season.