Late heroics doom Knights in overtime thriller
Trion, Ga. – The first meeting between a pair of 1A powerhouses from two different states lived up to the billing – and then some.
In a circumstance that had not occurred in almost 11 years, a regular-season game featuring Robbinsville went into overtime. Spearheaded by the Black Knights overcoming a 14-0 deficit midway through the second quarter, the comeback bid was ruined by a Logan Stokes interception that cemented the 35-28 outcome in favor of the Trion, Ga., Bulldogs.
The instant classic started off as a lopsided affair. Trion quarterback Kade Smith showed his field prowess by unloading passes at a quick rate – and proved to be a threat on the ground as well, finding the end zone on three separate rushes for the hosts. His first strike came on a 2-yard weave with 8:46 left in the first quarter; later, Smith broke free on a 40-yard scamper midway through the third to give Trion a bit of breathing room. The versatile senior went on to score the winning jab by dashing across the goal line just two plays into overtime.
After making a 3 ½-hour trip to Northwest Georgia, Robbinsville (1-4) needed more than one series to get its legs functioning properly. The Knights took their licks early on, as the Bulldogs prevented Robbinsville from even picking up a first down until the second quarter. Following Smith’s first trip to the end zone, Trion opened its two-score lead early in the second on Lane Harris’ second sack of Black Knights quarterback Bryce Adams – the first behind Robbinsville’s goal line. The impact jarred the ball loose and Stokes promptly fell atop the fumble for a Bulldogs touchdown.
But perseverance won out for the Knights, who were not looking to waste the 160-mile trip. Once Robbinsville finally moved the chains on offense, success rapidly followed. Senior Roman Jones ran across the artificial surface of Charles Blevins Field like it owed him money, taking the weight of the deficit and flicking it off his shoulder by reeling in an Adams pass on the Knights’ first time across midfield – and sprinting 46 yards to get Robbinsville on the board.
The Black Knights then applied heavy pressure when Jones slipped through the defense on an 8-yard snag to cut the deficit down to 14-12. Minutes after Smith’s quick 40-yard reply, Robbinsville held firm on 4th and short when Tytan Teesateskie dropped Smith at the line of scrimmage to force a critical turnover. In transition, Jones completed the hat trick on a 57-yard dash to the house. Adams then deposited a pass into Darion Ledbetter’s clutches for a 2-point conversion that sent the game into the fourth at a 21-20 split.
Trion (6-0) spent its next drive methodically working downfield, finally cashing in when Staven Gardner plowed across on a 5-yard carry. Robbinsville needed over seven minutes to make things interesting, but did so when Isiac Collins helped convert on fourth down by securing a 44-yard catch. Moments later, Jones continued to build his Roman Empire by fighting his way into the north end zone on a 23-yard completion. Quinn Jumper then assured overtime with a conversion run.
A quick swat of an Adams pass – and subsequent catch – by Stokes during Robbinsville’s third play in the extra session proved to be the Knights’ undoing, but Graham County’s contributions to the gridiron clash greatly outweighed those of Chattooga County: Adams finished 10-of-15 in the air, with 243 passing yards.
Jones also piled up 258 total yards of damage on offense, showing that while Smith might have been the most versatile player for the Bulldogs, the 6-foot-3 Robbinsville senior was the most versatile inside Sam R. McCain Stadium.
The locals noticed, too: Jones was called over by members of the home bleachers when all was said and done, receiving his accolades from the Bulldogs faithful who touted that Robbinsville gave Trion its toughest outing in recent memory.
Andy Ramirez was a perfect 5-for-5 on PATs for the Bulldogs.
The last time the Knights played an overtime game in the regular season was Sept. 27, 2013, a 27-21 overtime loss to Swain County. Robbinsville won its last foray into free football, which was a 42-40 triumph in the second round of the state playoffs April 16, 2021 against Winston-Salem Prep.
Division opener
After the bumpiest non-conference start in years, the time has arrived to see if the Black Knights have dug deep and unfurled a new layer of fortitude.
All the adversity faced will be put to the test on homecoming, as Robbinsville welcomes Cherokee (3-2) for a 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Conference showdown Friday, Sept. 27 at Big Oaks Stadium.
If you cannot attend the game in-person, it will be live-streamed on grahamstarsports.com. PPV access is $6.99.