Black Knights rout South Davidson; clinch 1st state finals appearance since 2019
Robbinsville – One week from today, the Black Knights will be playing for a 16th state championship.
A dominant run through the postseason bracket continued Friday, as Robbinsville (No. 1, 10-3) foiled the storybook chapter being penned by South Davidson (No. 2, 11-2) in a convincing 41-7 victory on Bob Colvin Field at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium.
The win ensured more space would have to be in the already-cramped trophy case inside Robbinsville High School, as the Knights wrapped up their 14th, 1A Western Regional championship amid the trouncing.
Inflicting all of their damage in the first half, Robbinsville also ensured a running clock for the third time in as many playoff games this season. Eli Lambert recovered a Wildcats fumble on the game's initial kickoff, which provided the lone opening Robbinsville needed to step into its patented offensive groove.
Kyzik Teesateskie soon found the end zone on a 16-yard rushing touchdown, before leaping into the frosty night air and securing a 15-yard scoring pass from Luke Lovin at the 7:44 mark of the first quarter.
Attempting to complete a "Worst to First" campaign – the team was 0-10 in 2024 – South Davidson squandered its only real threat at the end zone during the next possession. The Wildcats were forced to punt, but an errant touch gave South Davidson the chance to recover a fumble at the Knights' 5-yard line. Ultimately, Robbinsville only allowed the visitors to advance nine more feet before deeming the drive unsuccessful.
In turn, Teesateskie went on to punch in a five-yard scamper at the first-quarter horn. Cameron Allison turned loose on a 51-yard sprint to the north end zone with 9:41 remaining before the break, while Benton Gibby extended the lead to 34-0 by snatching a 12-yard Lovin pass for a touchdown reception.
Just 17 seconds later, Tucker Jones added the final insult – which came in the immediate aftermath of a Dane Daniels fumble recovery – by pulling down a 30-yard scoring launch. Zander Lucksavage followed with the point-after attempt, finishing 5-of-6 in the game on PATs.
South Davidson's only reply came with five minutes left in the third quarter, when quarterback Gage Underwood scored on a 12-yard keeper.
The PAT was handled by Jayden Bustos-Benitez.
The Black Knights have now competed in six of the last eight 1A Western Regional title games.
State game details
The Black Knights have the luxury of two bye weeks in the postseason: one by virtue of receiving the top seed in the 1A West bracket and the other thanks to the 1A bracket wrapping up its "road to state" one week sooner.
At Wednesday's press deadline, the only confirmed details about Robbinsville's state-title game are the opponent and the date.
A venue and kickoff time will be announced by the N.C. High School Athletic Association this weekend, after all other classifications have finished crowning their respective regional champions.
Robbinsville will face the 1A Eastern champions, the Wilson Preparatory Academy Tigers (No. 4, 8-5) on Thursday, Dec. 11. Follow The Graham Star on Facebook for real-time updates concerning the state championship game.