Knights advance to 4th-straight Western Regional final
Robbinsville – Dasan Gross was the most inaccessible man on the field after Friday’s game.
Everyone wanted to offer congratulations, take the pre-requisite post-game photo and just simply bask in the success of the Robbinsville senior quarterback’s performance against Murphy in the fourth round of the 1A state playoffs.
Gross’ most consistent game at the helm of the Knights’ offense (9-of-11 for 136 yards and a touchdown) – combined with another four-touchdown game from Cuttler Adams – propelled Robbinsville to a 28-14 victory over the Bulldogs.
“We had a lot of confidence,” Gross said. “We wanted to prove to everybody that we are the best. I think we did that.”
A first-quarter interception from Dalton Hill paved the way for Robbinsville (No. 4 seed, 10-3) to strike first, as Gross capped a short drive with a 26-yard scoring pass to Cuttler Adams. After Briley Tolbert sacked Murphy (No. 9 seed, 9-5) quarterback Kellen Rumfelt on the ensuing possession, the Bulldogs were forced to punt – and the Knights began a lengthy drive that spilled into the second quarter.
The 17-play stint ended with Adams plunging across the goal line on a 2-yard carry.
Rumfelt finally got the Bulldogs on the board with a 1-yard keeper at the 3:39 mark of the second and in the closing seconds of the half, Murphy seemed destined to tie the affair when Juan Allen scooped up a fumble and sprinted toward the end zone.
But Cuttler Adams had other plans, chasing Allen down and wrapping him up at the 1 yard line to end the first half.
The Knights’ defense forced the Bulldogs to go three-and-out to begin the third stanza and, in turn, opened up a two-score lead on another 2-yard Adams carry.
“We came out strong, and once we had their game plan figured out, we really played well,” said Jude Campbell, who – along with Zeke Silvers and Isaac Wiggins – had five tackles on the night. “When we came out for the second half, we were pumped up.
“We’ve continued to get better and play the best ball we can play. If we keep playing like this, we’ll go all the way.”
Murphy eventually failed to convert on fourth down, and as the final 12 minutes dawned, Robbinsville held all the cards. Though the Knights had to punt, Brock Adams snagged the second Robbinsville interception of the game, which spurned another lengthy drive. Gross had two more tosses to move the chains, and Cuttler Adams crossed the goal line with 1:35 to go.
The Bulldogs’ final score came on a 12-yard Rumfelt run with one minute left to go.
“Our offensive line did great,” Gross said. “Our receivers did a great job catching the job. I’m very proud of the teamwork tonight.”
Western-finals bound
The win over Murphy stamped Robbinsville’s third consecutive Western Regional finals appearance.
And for the first time in this postseason, the Knights will have to play on the road.
Mitchell (No. 3 seed, 12-2) triumphed over Mount Airy (No. 2, 13-1) in a 21-14 battle, sitting up a Knights/Mountaineers showdown in Bakersville this Friday. Robbinsville bested Mitchell in the second round of the playoffs last year, picking up a 28-20 victory April 23. Mountaineers quarterback Ty Turbyfill has 1,146 passing yards and 2,096 on the ground this season, while Gabe Brandt has amassed 127 tackles to lead Mitchell’s defense. Meanwhile, Robbinsville is on an 8-game winning streak and has held their postseason opposition to 91 points.
“We’ll definitely have to come ready to play football,” Campbell said. “It’s going to be a big game.”
“We’re going to go into the game with a lot of confidence,” Gross added. “We’re going to play hard and give it all we can.”