Robbinsville – The only surefire way to ensure improvement from start to finish is to get in as many live-action reps as possible.
Back for his fourth stint as the Black Knights’ head coach, David Haney has packed Robbinsville’s 2022-23 schedule with a wide variety of competition. “The ‘Ville” has developed a reputation for its willingness to travel wherever the action is and – back for his fourth stint as the Black Knights’ head coach, David Haney has packed Robbinsville’s 2022-23 schedule with that philosophy at the front of his mind.
The latest run included a 77-0 home squashing of the 3A Franklin Panthers on Nov. 30 before a Friday trek to Cherryville for a quad dual resulted in the Knights’ first team loss of the season to Uwharrie Charter Academy.
There was very little action to build the lopsided victory over the Panthers.
Robbinsville (10-1) only competed in five bouts, as Franklin showed trouble filling its weight classes. Christian Phillips (132), Bobby Moore (138), Devin Hall (145), Kage Williams (182), Kyler Branham (195), Skyler Anderson (113), Alexis Panama (120) and Avery Phillips (126) all had their hands raised via forfeit. The 106-pound weight class was a double forfeit.
In the bouts contested, Willie Riddle (152) pinned Chase Browning; Jeremiah Phillips (160) scored a 15-0 technical fall over Jeffry Casale; Turner Jackson (170) downed Jonathan Gibson, via pinfall; Kellen Ensley (220) pinned Evan Willis; and Jacob Teesateskie (285) took down Sean Whorton, also via pinfall.
First hiccup
Cherryville – Robbinsville split Friday’s road bill, disposing of the Alleghany Trojans 61-18, before incurring its first team defeat in a 55-15 loss to Uwharrie Charter Academy.
Anderson, Avery Phillips (126), Riddle and Jackson all secured their wins via forfeit against the Trojans. Alexis Panama (120) earned a 15-2 majority decision against Marcos Sagahon, while Owen Blevins (285) picked up a 7-0 win against Jason Vielandi. Christian Phillips, Moore, Jesse Williams, Jeremiah Phillips, Branham, Williams, Ensley and Adair Panama clinched the remaining victories for Robbinsville by way of pinfall.
Uwharrie Charter had no trouble filling out its weight classes and provided some stiff competition for the Black Knights. Robbinsville’s only wins came thanks to a 7-2 decision nod for Anderson, over Brennan Worrell; and pinfall wins for Alexis Panama and Williams, over respective adversaries Christopher White and Corbin Grissom.
Robbinsville also tangled with the hosting Ironmen, winning 47-33.
Jet sweep
Candler – The Knights finished the frantic slate of six duals in six days Tuesday evening, making the trip to Enka.
Robbinsville went 3-0 at the quad, knocking off T.C. Roberson, 48-33; Erwin, 59-24; and the hosting Jets, 50-22.
Individual results were not available by Wednesday’s press deadline.