Robbinsville dominates in conference opener
Cherokee – Three defensive touchdowns, two scoring receptions and a 56-yard rush to the end zone.
No, the JV Robbinsville Black Knights (3-0) did not have the cheat codes turned on when they stepped off the bus at Cherokee on Sept. 5, but several difference makers decided to make an impact nonetheless.
The end result? Robbinsville conquered the Braves in the Smoky Mountain Conference opener 41-6 at Ray Kinsland Stadium.
Before the game could even get out of the first quarter, Benton Gibby had scooped up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown; while Braylon Blevins found Xamuel Wachacha for a 29-yard score.
Cameron Allison snagged a pass early in the second and returned it 86 yards to stamp the scoreboard again, then ran back a Braves punt just 90 seconds later to further spread Robbinsville’s lead.
Allison then completed the hat trick with 8:25 remaining in the third, weaving through the Cherokee defense and finding paydirt from 56 yards out.
Blevins later reeled in an interception of his own, then located Eli Lambert for a 14-yard scoring catch at the 3:05 mark – rounding out the Knights’ contributions to the cause. Cherokee finally dented the scoreboard on a 10-yard pass with 30 seconds left in the affair.
Wachacha was 5-of-6 on PATs; Ethan Chekeleelee also had a fourth-quarter fumble recovery for Robbinsville.
The Black Knights travel to Murphy today for a crucial divisional showdown at Bob Hendrix Stadium. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.