Waynesville – It started off promising enough: Robbinsville recovered a fumble, then scored a touchdown and punched in a conversion to take an 8-0 lead.
No one could have predicted that would be the final offensive highlight for the Black Knights on Aug. 25. Playing as the home team in a neutral-site showdown with the Mountain Heritage Cougars, Robbinsville was unable to stymie the visitors from Burnsville, giving up a rushing touchdown and two scores in the air to fall 20-8 at Tuscola.
“The one thing we have to do is have more discipline,” Robbinsville head coach Wren Millsaps said. “In order to beat good teams, you have to be disciplined.
“We will work to remedy that this week.”
Cason Jones proved to be a big thorn in the side of the Knights’ defense. The halfback pushed his way across the goal line on a 1-yard carry in the second quarter to get Mountain Heritage on the board. Robbinsville held firm on the 2-point conversion attempt, but failed to break up a 34-yard touchdown pass on the Cougars’ next possession. The conversion was successful this time – a slip pass from Brayden Deyton to Cole McGee – and Mountain Heritage took a 14-8 lead into the break.
Looking for a surge, Robbinsville’s Kellen Ensley picked off a Deyton pass midway through the third stanza, but the Knights were unable to capitalize on the gift.
The Cougars put the game out of reach in the fourth, when Deyton connected with Jones for an 8-yard touchdown.
Though Easton Shuler picked off the conversion attempt for the Knights, that proved to be the final gasp for Robbinsville, as Carter Bennett roped in a pass on the Knights’ next possession to seal the win for Mountain Heritage.
“We played really hard, and I can’t say enough about the defense of Kellen Ensley,” Millsaps said. “He was always around the ball.”
Robbinsville will host Swain County today for its first home game of the season. Kickoff at Modeal Walsh Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.