With the 2020-21 high school football season in the rearview mirror, the Smoky Mountain Conference has officially released its All-Conference list.
Littered across the lineup of accolades are 17 athletes from the Robbinsville Black Knights, all who made an impact across the shortened slate.
Senior quarterback Nathan Collins was named the Back of the Year – and for good reason, boasting 48 completions for 729 yards in the air and 91 carries for 683 yards on the ground.
He threw three scoring passes and scrambled into the end zone on 10 different occasions.
Collins was 24-1 as Robbinsville’s starting quarterback, but also put on a showcase while playing defense, recording 37 tackles and three interceptions.
“Nathan was a great leader on the field and an all-purpose athlete,” Robbinsville head coach Dee Walsh said.
Lex Hooper broke out for a strong senior year as well, becoming the main ball handler and finishing with 198 carries for 939 yards (with 16 touchdowns). He also snagged seven catches for 129 yards and had three receptions that netted six for the Knights.
All told, Hooper’s final career tally was 3,374 rushing yards and 453 receiving yards.
Offensive linemen Candler Edwards and Carlos Wesley also received spots on the All-Conference list. Though hampered by injuries, Edwards had 15 tackles this year and helped the Knights’ offense charge forward for 2,521 rushing yards.
Wesley finished the season with 29 tackles to his credit.
“Candler and Carlos were very athletic and great blockers,” Walsh said.
Tight end Xavier Rattler transferred from Andrews for his junior and senior seasons, quickly impressing the coaching staff with his work ethic.
“Xavier was a big athlete who has played multiple positions for Robbinsville on both offense and defense,” Walsh said.
Defensive end Rossi Wachacha became a familiar name to Black Knights spectators this year. His final season included 30 tackles (five for a loss), three sacks, two blocked kicks, two interceptions. He also caught two passes for 39 yards on offense.
Defensive back Wade Hamilton also made waves this year, compiling 26 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery. He also proved to be a viable passing option during his senior year, catching 16 balls for 178 yards.
“Wade played all the skilled positions for the team,” Walsh said. “He was a great all-around player.”
Freshman inside linebacker Kage Williams showed that he will be a force on both sides of the ball for the next three years. Defensively, he posted 50 tackles (four for a loss), four sacks and had two fumble recoveries. As a member of the backfield, Williams finished the year with 53 carries for 329 yards, as well as four receptions for 97 yards.
Another freshman, Cuttler Adams, recorded two sacks, one interception, two fumble recoveries and toppled opponents 55 times at outside linebacker. Ten of those tackles were for a loss.
Adams also saw some reps on offense, with 49 touches for 296 yards. He became well known for his kickoff returns, amassing 179 yards during his efforts.
The staple of Robbinsville’s special teams lineup, junior kicker Cody Cline, went 41-for-42 on extra points, split the uprights for three field goals and put 50 points on the board for the Knights. Three of his kickoffs were for touchbacks.
“Cody always had great placement on kickoffs,” Walsh said. “He’s an awesome weapon for the team.”
Rounding out the All-Conference list was junior punter Isaac Wiggins. His 26 punts averaged 38.5 yards – including one that went 78 yards in the conference championship game against Murphy on April 9. The punt set a new school record.
“Isaac was able to place multiple punts inside the 20-yard line,” Walsh said. “He’s a good all-around athlete.”
Honorable mentions went to Aaron Phillips (outside linebacker), Brock Adams (wide receiver), Ben Wachacha (defensive end) and Ty Harrell (linebacker).
Robbinsville finished the year 9-1 and won its second straight Smoky Mountain Conference title, en route to a 1A Western Regional finals appearance.