Knights rattle off 2nd-straight win; Adams surpasses 3,000 yards
Robbinsville – A lot of question marks surrounded the Black Knights’ defense as the 2022 season dawned.
Robbinsville has silenced the decriers.
Three games into the campaign, a defense that is notably young – and admittedly, needed some extra reps to get its conditioning leveled out – has limited opponents to just 41 points and 335 rushing yards.
And while 218 of the ground yardage surrendered this season was recorded Friday against Mountain Heritage, the Cougars’ efforts were barely reflected in the 26-8 final.
Why? What else: defense.
“We dominated the line of scrimmage like we were supposed to,” said sophomore Tytan Teesateskie. “We’re getting in a lot better shape with these games.”
“Which is the hope,” senior Carlos Lopez quickly noted.
A pair of traded punts opened the matchup, before Robbinsville finally hit paydirt on a 2-yard Donovan Carpenter dive into the end zone at the 3:41 mark of the first quarter. Mountain Heritage’s second effort downfield looked promising enough, but Koleson Dooley shook the ball loose on a hard hit and Carson Lovin recovered the fumble at the Knights’ 17-yard line.
One play later, Cuttler Adams strutted 83 yards for another Robbinsville touchdown.
The junior running back entered the 3,000-yard club in the game and now sits at 3,085, after rumbling for 243 on the night – including a 10-yard scoring run late in the second quarter.
“I want to thank God and give Him the glory for letting me do what I love to do, and what I’ve worked my butt off for,” Adams said. “I have to give a huge shoutout to my linemen; can’t do it without those heroes.”
Robbinsville (2-1) made its final strike early in the third. After forcing a quick Cougars’ three-and-out to begin the second half, fullback Turner Jackson pushed across the goal line on a 3-yard carry.
In the aftermath, the Knights continued to stymie Mountain Heritage (0-3) to the tune of a Haden Key sack, a Brock Adams swat that broke up a crucial fourth-down conversion pass and a stubborn stand as the Cougars made a mad scramble to score on their final touches of the evening.
Mountain Heritage’s lone success came with 4:23 left in the contest, a 2-yard rush from Lane Chandler. Colt Capps ran in the conversion for the Cougars.
“We’re getting prepared for conference, because these games right now make us better,” Key said. “Going into next week, we’ll be fine. There’s some people that are hurt and we’ve got to prepare to step up.”
Saddle the ‘Stangs
Robbinsville will now make the short trek to Sylva, to face Smoky Mountain (2-1). Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9.
The 3A Mustangs have spent an early portion of their non-conference slate against its namesake conference to the west, fanning Cherokee 37-0 and edging Swain County 21-20. Smoky Mountain’s only hiccup so far came in a 21-12 loss to T.C. Roberson on Friday.
A trio of juniors, quarterback Jed West (36 completions, 495 yards), running back Isaiah McNeely (274 rushing yards) and wide receiver DaMare Williams (nine receptions, 180 yards) look to lead the Mustangs’ offense.
“We feel good about how things are going, but like Coach (Lucas) Ford (defensive coordinator) said, ‘There’s always room for improvement,” Lopez said. “We’re going to take a look back at ourselves on film, fix mistakes and get in better shape. We could always rush better, be stronger; see more and be more disciplined.”