Robbinsville – The Bulldogs and Trojans had a tough row to hoe Saturday: the buzzsaw that is “The ‘Ville.”
Hosting action in the first and second rounds of the 1A dual-team championship bracket, Robbinsville (28-3) made quick work of its opposition by shutting out Smoky Mountain Conference foe Murphy (No. 16, 6-5) in an 81-0 rout and unhinging Alleghany (No. 8, 4-18) by conquering the Trojans 58-15.
“It’s pretty cool that all day, we just lost three matches,” said Robbinsville head coach David Haney.
With limited numbers, Murphy needed every bit of success it could attain to have a prayer. But in the bouts contested, the Black Knights ran the table.
Aside from a 12-5 decision nod for Kyler Branham (195 pounds) against Nathan Shaw, Robbinsville either pinned its opponents or earned forfeit victories. Pinfalls came thanks to Willie Riddle (145, over Treyvon Luther); Nick Anderson (160, against Aiden Smith); Turner Jackson (170, over Zach Kessler); Loxston Hooper (120, against Dalton Farmer); Christian Phillips (126, trumping Luke Hyde); and Lleyton Hooper (132, cinching Ashton Raxter).
Forfeits were attained by Jeremiah Phillips (152), Kage Williams (182), Koleson Dooley (220), Jacob Teesateskie (285), Adair Panama (106), Alexis Panama (113) and Jesse Williams (138).
Alleghany only fared slightly better, but did crack the scoreboard when Isaac Stoker (170) spoiled a dominant showing from Jackson with a quick third-period pin; Jason Vielandi (285) prevailed 2-0 against Teesateskie; and Cameron Worrick pinned Jesse Williams in the third period.
“Turner lost to the No. 1 kid at 160 (Stoker), but he pretty much beat him for five minutes,” Haney said. “That was encouraging. Because of that, we may put Turner at 160 when it comes time for individuals.”
Otherwise, it was all Black Knights. Kage Williams shifted to 195 and flirted with a technical fall, before opting to pin Hayden Williams late in the third; Dooley pinned Dylan Phipps in the second; Adair Panama muscle Valentino Guerrero to the mat in just 36 seconds; Loxston Hooper carved out a 12-4 decision over Marcos Sagahon; Christian Phillips scored a 9-7, overtime win against Eli Thomas; and Lleyton Hooper beat Alexis Nuevo 12-6. Taking forfeits wins for Robbinsville was Jeremiah Phillips, Ryleon Waldroup (160), Branham (182), Alexis Panama (113) and Riddle.
On the road again
Even though Robbinsville attained the No. 1 Western seed, the N.C. High School Athletic Association dictates that the later rounds should be held the closest to the geographical center of the programs involved.
As such, the Knights made the short trek to Bryson City after Wednesday’s press deadline to face a familiar foe, Swain County (No. 5, 21-8). The winner of that dual will square off with the winner of Mount Airy (No. 3, 11-0); and Avery County (No. 6, 20-3).
“I’m a little disappointed that we have to go against Swain again, but that’s because a team (Bradford Preparatory Academy) dropped out,” Haney pointed out. “You have to beat everybody anyway, but on top of that, we have to wrestle them at Swain.”