Robbinsville thumps Cougars in 2021 season opener
Robbinsville – Before Asheville had a chance to get settled, Robbinsville led 21-0.
Sophomore backs Cuttler Adams and Kage Williams each had a hat trick – and the Black Knights’ defense took care of the rest – as Robbinsville handily defeated the 4A Cougars 45-23 in Friday’s season debut.
“Our running backs ran the ball real hard, and even if the blocks weren’t there, they were able to keep the ball,” Black Knights head coach Dee Walsh said. “Dasan (Gross) did a really good job of running our offense.”
Adams’ first touchdown split a pair by Williams that were spread across the first and second quarters. The Robbinsville defense had Asheville reeling from the get-go, with Carson Lovin scooping up a fumble at the end of a would-be receiving touchdown on the Cougars’ first drive.
Both Brock and Cuttler Adams would pick off Asheville quarterback Khalil Conley at two separate points in the game, while Koleson Dooley would twice drop Conley for a loss.
Jaret Panama also recorded a sack.
“Our line did good, but we expect that,” Walsh said.
“All the kids that were out there have played in our program. We feel good about our team; we just need to improve our depth.”
Robbinsville led 28-7 at the break – a 16-yard reception by Williams from Dasan Gross stamped on the Knights’ fourth touchdown of the first half – and Cody Cline added a 26-yard field goal to the mix in the third, extending the lead to 31-7.
Though Asheville quickly generated a response in the form of a 39-yard touchdown catch by Sayvon Hayden-Gibson, Cuttler Adams would cross the goal line twice more in the fourth quarter.
“We were really excited to get a big win,” Walsh said. “Our kids were ready to play and they played real, real hard. They expected to win and they did.”
Road trip
Robbinsville amassed 388 total yards of offense against Asheville, which has to be concerning for the next team on the schedule: Brevard. The Black Knights will make the trek to Transylvania County on Friday to face the Blue Devils. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Robbinsville’s journey will kick off the first of two consecutive road games, with the Knights also traveling to Mountain Heritage on Sept. 3 as part of the non-conference schedule.
Directions to Brevard: Take U.S. 74 East to Interstate 40 East. Follow to Interstate 26 East and merge, before taking exit 40 (N.C. 280 West/Airport Road). Continue for 16 miles, before following U.S. 276 South/U.S. 64 West for 3.9 miles. Once you reach North Country Club Road, follow for 0.7 miles to Brevard High School.