Black Knights gain comeuppance on Bulldogs for 2022 senior night outcome
Murphy – There was steady rainfall; tempers flaring on the field; and a thrilling conclusion.
In other words, a fitting chapter in the long-standing rivalry between the Robbinsville Black Knights and the Murphy Bulldogs.
Friday’s installment went to Robbinsville (6-1, 2-0), which exacted a measure of revenge in the form of a 26-21 nod against its Smoky Mountain Conference foe: Murphy (5-2, 1-1) had traveled to Graham County in 2022 and delivered a 48-16 defeat on senior night.
This year, the Black Knights were able to spoil the Bulldogs own night of celebration on the heels of an ultra-motivated Cuttler Adams, who trampled his way past Kurt Odom to second place in the all-time school rushing record books on the strength of 247 yards on 28 carries.
“I want to give credit to my linemen for making some great blocks; we just have to keep working hard every day,” Adams said.
Adams posted all four of Robbinsville’s touchdowns: a 1-yard push to cap a 4:08 opening drive; a 53-yard dash on the first play of the second quarter; a go-ahead touchdown from 14 yards out just before halftime; and the eventual game-clincher on a 60-yard sprint with 4:22 left in the third quarter.
Save for the Donovan Carpenter keeper that followed Adams’ final score in the third quarter, the Knights were unable to convert three other two-point opportunities.
Adams now sits at 5,643 (Odom had 5,600); he now needs just 521 to surpass Rylee Anderson (who had 6,164 yards on the ground between 2016-19) as the top rusher in both school and conference history.
“It’s very exciting to be (a part of the) Top 4 all-time rushers in the Smoky Mountain Conference,” said Adams. “Above all things, I want to give the Lord credit for always keeping me healthy and helping me accomplish my goals.
“It was my goal to get over 200 yards against Murphy and to get revenge.”
On the flip side of the coin, Murphy’s Hunter Stalcup controlled the scoring for the Bulldogs: 21 carries for 185 yards, with three rushing touchdowns.
Stalcup’s first two strikes came in transition: a 3-yard run that followed Will Joyner’s first interception of the game in the opening segment; and a 68-yard rumble in the aftermath of a Camden Breazeale fumble recovery with 2:34 left in the second quarter. Murphy’s final lead of the evening was captured on Stalcup’s 38-yard carry with 8:09 left in the third.
After a banner evening, the senior running back was called upon to reel in sophomore quarterback Brady Grant’s on-the-money Hail Mary at the final buzzer, but Robbinsville’s Zeke Silvers tipped the ball over his outstretched hands in the end zone.
The flick both solidified the Black Knights’ efforts; while also dampening the Bulldogs’ senior-night rally bid in a way no amount of steady rainfall ever could.
Joyner was a perfect 3-for-3 on extra points and ended the night with two interceptions for Murphy; Bryce Adams recovered a fumble for Robbinsville in the game, as well.
The Knights entertain Andrews (4-3, 0-2) for this year’s homecoming game Friday. Kickoff at Modeal Walsh Memorial Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.
If you cannot make it in-person, the game and the homecoming festivities at halftime – will be live-streamed at grahamstarsports.com. The telecast will begin between 7-7:15 p.m.