BlackKnights

Two-time defending 195-pound 1A state champion Kyle Fink prepares for a takedown during Saturday’s inaugural “Nothing but Neutral” tournament at Robbinsville High School. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Two-time defending 195-pound 1A state champion Kyle Fink prepares for a takedown during Saturday’s inaugural “Nothing but Neutral” tournament at Robbinsville High School. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Neutral ground

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Robbinsville – An event that attracted 100 grapplers from around the tri-state area is already being heralded as a success.
Vicki Walsh (left) presents a check to Robbinsville High School Band before Oct. 29’s home football game against Amber Watkins. At the time, the community-wide effort to raise money for new band uniforms had netted $22,133 – but now, the total has eclipsed $23,000. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Vicki Walsh (left) presents a check to Robbinsville High School Band before Oct. 29’s home football game against Amber Watkins. At the time, the community-wide effort to raise money for new band uniforms had netted $22,133 – but now, the total has eclipsed $23,000. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Community bands together

Charlie Benton
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Robbinsville – The Black Knight Marching Band is going to look sharp on the field in new uniforms, thanks to the support of the community.
Abby Wehr searches for an open option during Monday’s season opener against Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Abby Wehr searches for an open option during Monday’s season opener against Cherokee. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights outpaced by Cherokee in season opener

Kevin Hensley
Friday, November 5, 2021
Robbinsville – Things got off to a rocky start for the Robbinsville Middle School basketball program this season. The Lady Knights fell 55-7 to the Cherokee Braves in Monday’s season opener, while the Black Knights were upended 58-22 in the nightcap.
Robbinsville senior Hayden Stewart gutted out the rainy conditions at Saturday’s 1A Western Regional Meet in Bryson City to finish 11th, punching his ticket to the state race. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Hayden Stewart gutted out the rainy conditions at Saturday’s 1A Western Regional Meet in Bryson City to finish 11th, punching his ticket to the state race. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lone wolf

Kevin Hensley
Friday, November 5, 2021
Bryson City – Hayden Stewart is making the most out of his senior year.
Cuttler Adams (4) leaves Hayesville’s Cameron Payne laying during Friday’s regular-season finale against Hayesville. Through eight games of his sophomore campaign, Adams has amassed 1,253 rushing yards and has found the end zone on 14 different occasions. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Cuttler Adams (4) leaves Hayesville’s Cameron Payne laying during Friday’s regular-season finale against Hayesville. Through eight games of his sophomore campaign, Adams has amassed 1,253 rushing yards and has found the end zone on 14 different occasions. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville claims 3rd straight division title

Kevin Hensley
Friday, November 5, 2021
Robbinsville – If anyone was expecting a huge celebration at the end of Friday’s game, they were sorely disappointed.
Robbinsville’s defense held Swain County to just 139 total yards of offense Tuesday night. All names are from left. Front row: Drake Hill and Eddie Brooms. Second row: Haden Key, Carlos Wesley, Carson White, Carlos Lopez and Koleson Dooley. Back row: Jacob Teesateskie, Tytan Teesateskie, Tysen Greene and Ben Wachacha. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s defense held Swain County to just 139 total yards of offense Tuesday night. All names are from left. Front row: Drake Hill and Eddie Brooms. Second row: Haden Key, Carlos Wesley, Carson White, Carlos Lopez and Koleson Dooley. Back row: Jacob Teesateskie, Tytan Teesateskie, Tysen Greene and Ben Wachacha. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

4 days, 2 games: 2 wins

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 28, 2021
  Robbinsville – Their bodies may be bruised and battered, but the Black Knights are one win away from a third-straight Smoky Mountain Conference title.
Junior varsity Black Knight Adair Panama sprints away from the Swain County defense during the Oct. 14 season finale. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Junior varsity Black Knight Adair Panama sprints away from the Swain County defense during the Oct. 14 season finale. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Strong finish

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Robbinsville – Defensive positives were spurned out of several offensive negatives. The Oct. 14 regular-season finale between the junior varsity Robbinsville Black Knights (3-2) and Swain County featured a combined six fumble recoveries, but just one interception.
Black Knights senior Cody Cline connects for the game-winning, 42-yard field goal Friday at Murphy. The kick sealed a 23-20 victory for Robbinsville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights senior Cody Cline connects for the game-winning, 42-yard field goal Friday at Murphy. The kick sealed a 23-20 victory for Robbinsville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Field goal frenzy

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Murphy – Cody Cline will never have to pay for a meal in Robbinsville again.
With Cherokee’s Elijah Watty (25) closing in, Robbinsville senior quarterback Dasan Gross scans the field for an open receiver during Friday’s 20-7 loss to the Braves. Photos by Scot McKie/Cherokee One Feather

With Cherokee’s Elijah Watty (25) closing in, Robbinsville senior quarterback Dasan Gross scans the field for an open receiver during Friday’s 20-7 loss to the Braves. Photos by Scot McKie/Cherokee One Feather

13-second swing

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 15, 2021
Cherokee – Entering the fourth quarter of Friday’s Smoky Mountain Conference opener, Robbinsville and Cherokee were in a 7-7 deadlock.  Neither team had scored since the second quarter, and the game seemed destined to go to whoever struck next.
Junior varsity Black Knight Tanner Hedden (right) evades capture during the Sept. 23 home game against Murphy. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Junior varsity Black Knight Tanner Hedden (right) evades capture during the Sept. 23 home game against Murphy. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Knights roll past Wildcats

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Andrews – After coming out on the wrong end of a shutout, the junior varsity Black Knights got back up and trudged forward. Robbinsville (2-1) overcame some early adversity Sept. 30 at Andrews, eventually pulling ahead and ultimately prevailing 38-18 over the Wildcats.