Jones upstages previous showing in division opener
Robbinsville – One game removed from a breakout performance, Roman Jones tied a record set by his father some 32 years ago.
Roman Jones only needed 173 offensive yards to reach the benchmark in Friday’s 46-16 thrashing of Cherokee, which Brandy Jones set while firing five touchdowns during a still-discussed, second-half comeback against Swain County on Oct. 16, 1992.
Graham County Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Kaleb Williams later achieved the same feat by successfully passing five touchdowns against East Surry in the second round of the state playoffs on Nov. 19, 1999; while Rylee Anderson made five trips to the end zone himself in the Dec. 14, 2019 state title game against Northampton County.
The senior never lost sight of what brought him to the dance, though: giving credit to not only Robbinsville’s offensive line, but his No. 1 hero.
“All the glory to God,” Jones said. “That’s the biggest thing. Once you realize he has control over everything, you can put your faith in Him. That’s the key to our success.”
Jones only caught two passes from quarterback Bryce Adams on Friday, netting just 63 yards on the catches. But the pair were both good for touchdowns.
On the ground, Jones took 13 handoffs and tallied 110 yards, trampling his way to the house on three separate occasions.
While the overall yardage paled in comparison to his 258-yard night during Robbinsville’s previous outing – a 35-28 overtime road loss to Trion, Ga. – the overall impact he made on the outcome of Friday’s Smoky Mountain Conference opener was much stronger.
His difference-making scores against Cherokee (3-3, 0-1) came with 4:09 left in the first quarter on a 13-yard carry; a 36-yard reception with 6:58 remaining in the second; a 6-yard scamper just 3:03 before halftime; another 6-yard carry, this time with 7:18 left in the third; and a 27-yard catch at the 1:38 mark of the third.
Jones also picked off Cherokee gunslinger Jonathan Saylor in the first quarter, which transitioned to his initial salvo.
More importantly, the win more than proved that Robbinsville (2-4, 1-0) is leaving its shaky non-conference slate where it belongs: the rearview mirror.
“We weren’t worried about that; it’s in the past,” Roman said of the start to the 2024 calendar. “We know how good we are, and we wanted to come tonight and make a statement.
“Tell everybody to keep sleeping. Keep sleeping. We’re ready to roll.”
No ‘i’ in ‘team’
Wedged between Roman’s five touchdowns was a pair of strikes from the returning Cooper Adams, who had been sidelined with a shoulder injury. Looking like he hadn’t missed a beat, Cooper twice rushed to the end zone: once with 3:11 left in the first and again with just 18 seconds lingering in the opening stanza.
He finished with 11 touches for 144 yards, leading the Knights’ rushing efforts in the blowout.
Robbinsville asserted its dominance elsewhere throughout the night. The Black Knights racked up 494 offensive yards, while yielding just 106 to the Braves. In fact, Cherokee was unable to pick up a first down until late in the second quarter.
The lopsided affair started off looking the exact opposite of how it turned out. Luke Smith dropped Bryce Adams for his first of two sacks just three snaps into the game, while Michel Gayosso nabbed a pass on the following play.
But Cherokee went 3-and-out on its opening possession. From there, Roman Jones’ interception and a Cooper Adams fumble recovery gave way to Robbinsville scoring twice in a 58-second span.
Quinn Jumper connected with Saylor for a sack at the dawn of the second and later recovered a Braves fumble, which led to Jones’ third scorch of the night. At that juncture, Robbinsville led 33-0.
Cherokee finally dented the scoreboard a scant 30 seconds before halftime, when Gayosso reeled in a 10-yard Saylor heave. Saylor followed with a dive for the conversion.
Gayosso secured his second pick of the night early in the third, but Cooper Adams stole the ball right back for Robbinsville just two plays later. The Braves’ final touchdown came on an 86-yard Xavier Sanchez kickoff return midway through the third. Smith caught Saylor’s pass for the conversion.
In the waning moments, Gayosso recovered a fumble, while Avery Webster got in on the fun by tackling Saylor in the backfield down the stretch.
Heavy stakes
Oddly enough, this year’s home schedule has quickly arrived to its conclusion. The Knights welcome a familiar foe to Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday, Oct. 11: Murphy.
Anytime the Bulldogs are on the calendar, the game is circled. Jones confirmed the hype for the star-studded evening, which will include Senior Night as part of the pre-game festivities; as well as the annual Graham County Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony during halftime.
“We’re excited and ready to go,” Jones said. “We’re going to roll and practice hard all week. It’s going to be a good game.”
League scoreboard
Week 6: Sept. 28, 2024
* Hayesville 37, Concord Christian 16
Week 7: Oct. 4, 2024
* Andrews 2, Swain County 0;
* Murphy 44, Hayesville 0;
* Robbinsville 46, Cherokee 16.
Upcoming games: Friday, Oct. 11. Andrews (4-1, 1-0) at Cherokee; Hayesville (1-5, 0-1) at Swain County (0-5, 0-1); Robbinsville vs. Murphy (5-1, 1-0; game will be live-streamed on grahamstarsports.com).