Robbinsville – A nearly-even attack of passing and rushing kept the Black Knights defense on its toes across the entire span of Friday's proceedings, as Robbinsville dropped a 28-7 outing to the visiting Franklin Panthers at Modeal Walsh Memorial Stadium.
The 5A Panthers opened up a 21-0 lead before the Knights manufactured their only response of the evening. Franklin (1-1) marched 54 yards on 10 plays to begin the game and capped things with a 20-yard pass from Anderson Terrell to Brock Bradley. Robbinsville (1-1) went three-and-out on its first offensive possession, before the Panthers doubled their lead with 54 seconds left in the first on a three-yard Garrett Young dive.
Young went on to post another rushing score in the second stanza, toting a one-yard carry across the goal line at the 3:50 mark. Franklin's sophomore fullback finished the game with 109 yards on the ground.
Robbinsville's best chance to get back into things occurred in the third. The Knights took the first drive of the half and 13 plays later, found paydirt when Isiac Collins squeezed through for a one-yard touchdown. After forcing Franklin to punt, the Black Knights went 69 yards and were knocking loudly on the Panthers door – but fumbled at the one-yard line. Franklin's Lance Parker picked up the miscue in the end zone and the Panthers finished off their visit with 8:35 to go, when Terrell connected with Gabe Harrison on a 38-yard scoring heave.
Franklin's Juan Olvera was a perfect 4-for-4 on PATs in the game, while Zander Lucksavage split the uprights for Robbinsville following Collins' touchdown.
Collins and Benton Gibby both led the Knights’ defense, as each recorded six tackles and five assists. Young had eight solo tackles and assisted on a pair to lead Franklin’s defensive showing.
The Black Knights hit the road for the first time this season Friday, Sept. 5, trekking to Burnsville to face Mountain Heritage (2-0).
The 3A Cougars picked up a 28-13 win on Bob Colvin Field when the two programs last met Sept. 6, 2024.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. If you are unable to make the trip to attend the game in-person, it will be live-streamed through the NFHS Network (nfhsnetwork.com).