Black Knights pluck Eagles in postseason opener
Robbinsville – It took less than 10 minutes of total bout time for the Black Knights to advance to the third round of the dual-team postseason.
Showing that they were not being paid by the hour – or even the half-hour – Robbinsville (No. 1 West seed, 19-9) dismantled Huntersville's Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy (No. 4), 77-6 in the second round of the playoff chase Tuesday.
The Eagles conquered the Andrews Wildcats (No. 5), 42-24 in Tuesday's opener, but had little hope from the get-go against the Knights. Trekker Rogers (106 pounds) opened the dual by getting his hand raised via forfeit for Robbinsville. Devin Burchfield (113) followed by kicking off a succession of five straight pinfall victories for "The 'Ville," muscling Willie Hester, Jr., to the mat at 1:34.
His victory was followed by Adair Panama (120) downing T.J. Jackson in 43 seconds; Ayden Conley (126) besting Kaiden Blakeney at the 34-second mark; Zander Lucksavage (132) prevailing over Rick Thomas in 23 seconds flat; and Loxston Hooper (138) cinching a 15-second cradle on Anahz'on Billingsley.
Devin Hall (144) broke up the fun by claiming a forfeit, before Lleyton Hooper (150) ran up a 16-1 technical fall against Malachi Smith in 2:11. Bobby Moore (157) went on to pin Emmanuel Quispe in 1:28, prior to Jerimiah Phillips (165) earning another forfeit nod.
Luke Green (175) set off another chain of pins by downing Jalen Smith in 50 seconds. He was followed by Brayden Lane (190) securing Achilles Ochoa's shoulders to the mat in 52 seconds and Christian Koeller (215) defeating Armaahd Billingsley at 57 seconds.
The Eagles secured their lone victory of the dual in the heavyweight division, as Mac Kilumbu won via forfeit.
Robbinsville will now face the winner of Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy (No. 2) and Rosman (No. 3) in the 1A Western Regional Championship match next week.
Results from the dual were not available by Wednesday's press deadline.
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