Robbinsville – It took until the third quarter, but the Black Knights showed a familiar playoff swagger Friday night.
For the first time since the 1999 postseason, Thomasville made the trip to Graham County to face Robbinsville in the opening round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's 1A playoffs. A first-half drought gave way to the Knights finally lighting up the scoreboard in the third, building all the momentum needed to send the Bulldogs packing 20-7 at Modeal Walsh Memorial Stadium.
The action finally picked up late in the second quarter, when Thomasville (No. 22 seed, 4-7) had two separate touchdowns erased on a pair of holding penalties during the closing series. The Dogs attempted to snip at the stalemate by kicking a 35-yard field goal at the halftime buzzer, but Robbinsville (No. 11, 6-6) freshman Benton Gibby had other plans – blocking Maricio Garcia's boot and sending the Knights into the locker room on a positive note.
Robbinsville churned downfield on the first possession of the third, finally cashing in on a 13-play, 6:06 drive when Isiac Collins ended four straight carries with a 2-yard push across the goal line.
Thomasville went 3-and-out on its next offensive attempt, which gave way to Bryce Adams later floating a 25-yard scoring heave to Luke Lovin.
The Bulldogs took their only bite out of the Black Knights' defense to jumpstart the fourth, when Keshawn Carpenter burst free on a 44-yard dash. Garcia's PAT cut Robbinsville's advantage neatly in half, but the Knights had the last laugh ֪– thanks to a 23-yard Darion Ledbetter sprint with 3:23 remaining in the game. Angel Cervantes' PAT was blocked, but he finished 2-for-3 on the night.
Kyzik Teesateskie put the final damper on Thomasville by dropping Kamarion Robinson for a loss with less than 90 seconds to go.
The Black Knights outgained the Bulldogs 259-190. Ledbetter paced Robbinsville's ground attack, collecting 99 yards on 13 carries. Adams finished 5-of-8 in the air, passing for 65 yards.
Carpenter had 118 rushing yards on 14 touches for Thomasville. Quinton Brunson had a fumble recovery for the Bulldogs, while Dayvan Prince recorded a sack.
By virtue of the Bessemer City Yellow Jackets (No. 6, 8-4) disposing of the South Stokes Sauras (No. 27, 1-10), Robbinsville will travel to suburban Charlotte for the second round Friday, Nov. 22. Kickoff time has yet to be announced; The Graham Star is working to obtain broadcasting rights to the game.
Smoky Mountain Conference Playoff Scoreboard
1st Round: Nov. 16, 2024
* Starmount (No. 9, 10-1) defeated Andrews (No. 24, 4-6), 51-0;
* Cherokee (No. 13, 7-4) beat Carver (No. 25, 4-7), 25-8;
* Hayesville (No. 18, 4-7) upset Union Academy (No. 15, 5-6), 37-35;
* Murphy (No. 3, 10-1) defeated Highland Tech (No. 30, 3-7), 63-6;
* Robbinsville (No. 11, 6-6) downed Thomasville (No. 22, 4-7), 20-7;
* Eastern Randolph (No. 4, 11-0) shutout Swain County (No. 29, 1-10), 49-0.
2nd Round Schedule: Nov. 23, 2024
* Cherokee at Eastern Randolph;
* Hayesville at Mountain Heritage;
* Murphy vs. Christ the King (No. 19, 5-6);
* Robbinsville at Bessemer City (No. 6, 8-4).