Knights’ running game prevails in duel with Erwin
Robbinsville – The Black Knights carried the ball 52 times Friday night.
Erwin passed it 39.
In the end, Robbinsville’s run game proved to be the difference maker, as the Knights (3-0, 2-0) held off a second-half push from the visiting Warriors (1-2) to pick up a 35-28 win on homecoming night.
“I thought the people up front – on both sides of the ball – did a really, really good job,” Robbinsville head coach Dee Walsh said. “There was a lot of good blocking and pass rush.
“We got way ahead and had a couple of opportunities to put them away, but we made a couple of mistakes. But that is good for us; it will make our kids work harder.”
Robbinsville did an excellent job mixing in passes at just the right time throughout the game – as the 3A Warriors rightly came prepared to defend the Black Knights’ ground assault – but only attempted to obtain positive yardage through the air nine times.
No matter, as senior Lex Hooper completed a hat trick of rushing touchdowns before halftime – and freshman back Kage Williams scored on a 23-yard rumble – to cap off a 28-7 first half for Robbinsville. Williams scored the final Knights touchdown in the third quarter on a 22-yard carry. All told, Robbinsville finished the game with 288 yards on the ground.
Erwin delivered the heavy brunt of its aerial attack in the second-half, as quarterback Korey Griffith – a transfer from Pisgah – completed two scoring passes to Mason Eppler – plus one to Johnny Peay, with 5:48 left in regulation. Robbinsville got the ball back and promptly drained the remainder of the clock with a 12-play possession.
“They had some really, really talented wide receivers and quarterback, so it could have blown their way at any time,” said Walsh. “But our kids did a good job of holding them in check. We challenged our kids on that last drive to take the ball down the field and they did.”
Neither team recorded an interception or a fumble recovery, but the Knights were able to penetrate the offensive line and pressure Griffith most of the night, before he could get out of the pocket. Wade Hamilton and Williams – as well as Xavier Ratter and Benjamen Wachacha – combined forces to bring Griffith down for a loss during the game.
Braves on-deck
Cherokee (1-2, 1-2) will bring the resumption of Smoky Mountain Conference play to Graham County on Friday.
Kickoff under the Big Oaks is set for 7:30 p.m.