Robbinsville captures first conference title since 2015
Murphy – In a high-stakes situation, Robbinsville hit the jackpot.
The Black Knights (11-0) rallied from a halftime deficit Friday night at Murphy (9-2) to stun the Bulldogs 17-14, clinching the program’s first Smoky Mountain Conference title since 2015.
“Kids did a great job; the coaches did a great job preparing them,” an emotional Robbinsville head football coach Dee Walsh said after the game. “We needed some breaks, and it worked out. That’s what we play for, it’s time and the kids knew it.
“The defense is what really won this game. We usually score more than this, but hey, they’re a good team – they’re the defending state champs. We knew they were going to give us everything they had.”
It was the Bulldogs’ defense that gave the Knights’ offense fits throughout the first half, stopping Robbinsville three times on fourth-down attempts.
Murphy struck first on the offensive side of the ball, scoring on a 15-yard carry from Ray Rathburn with 2:17 left in the first quarter. The Knights tied the game at 7-7 on a 3-yard pitch from Nathan Collins to Lex Hooper early in the second quarter, but the Bulldogs would hold a 14-7 lead at halftime after Devonte Murray dove into the end zone on a 9-yard rush with 8:21 left.
Murphy’s special teams woes did nothing but benefit Robbinsville in the second half. The Knights recovered a fumbled kickoff returned at the outset of the third quarter, which led to Cody Cline splitting the uprights on a 33-yard field goal.
“He works as hard as anyone we’ve got,” Walsh said of Cline. “That was awesome.”
Rylee Anderson would then block a Payton McCracken punt that Robbinsville recovered deep in Murphy territory. Three plays later, Collins scored on a 4-yard keeper.
Kamron McGuire put a damper on the Dogs’ hopes and permanently shifted the tide in favor of Robbinsville by recovering a Murphy fumble at the 9-yard line in the waning seconds of the third quarter.
“It was a really big thing for me to get that fumble,” McGuire said. “I had a play before that where I had really messed up, and that felt like I made up for it.
“This is a huge win. There’s not much to say about it. We’ve got more to go. Even though this is a conference championship, we’re looking for a state championship.”
The Knights defense took care of the rest, even forcing a Murphy three-and-out after a fourth-quarter Robbinsville fumble was recovered by the Bulldogs. When the clock finally struck zero – the Knights had possession of the ball for the final three minutes of the game – the visitor’s side of Bob Hendrix Stadium went into a frenzy.
“It’s definitely special,” senior center Christopher Shope said. “We will remember this for the rest of our lives.
“This was a tough game, but now it’s on to the next one. We’re going to keep grinding.”
Playoff time
Robbinsville deservedly received the No. 1 seed in the state class 1A postseason bracket and will enjoy a first-round bye as a result. The Black Knights will host the winner of Alleghany (No. 8) and Union (No. 9) in the second round Friday, Nov. 22.
After an undefeated regular season and a hard-hitting showing at Murphy, Robbinsville is ready for a chance to regroup.
“We’ve still got some work to go,” Walsh said. “We’re bruised up, so I’m sure they’ll need a healing day. An open date will be good for them.”