SMCFB

New stadium lights tabled

Charlie Benton
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Robbinsville – After some discussion in a special meeting Friday, the Graham County Board of Commissioners has tabled discussion on purchasing new lights for the Robbinsville High School football field, pending more information.
Turner Jackson (1) pulls away from some heavy Rosman pressure during Robbinsville’s 56-6 win over the Tigers on Feb. 25. Jackson emerged as the Black Knights’ leading rusher in the victory, tallying 71 yards on just five carries. Photos by Montana Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Turner Jackson (1) pulls away from some heavy Rosman pressure during Robbinsville’s 56-6 win over the Tigers on Feb. 25. Jackson emerged as the Black Knights’ leading rusher in the victory, tallying 71 yards on just five carries. Photos by Montana Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Back at work

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Robbinsville – They scored early and they scored often. In the end, the Robbinsville Black Knights began their quest to successful defend the 1A state title with a 56-6 victory over Rosman.  The game ended a 14-month layoff for Robbinsville football, which had last suited up Dec.
With Carlos Wesley (56) running interference, senior quarterback Nathan Collins takes off on a keeper during Saturday’s scrimmage at Smoky Mountain. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

With Carlos Wesley (56) running interference, senior quarterback Nathan Collins takes off on a keeper during Saturday’s scrimmage at Smoky Mountain. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

They’re ready

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 26, 2021
Sylva – The transition from the hardwood to the gridiron seemed almost seamless.
Robbinsville’s Ivy Odom (front) and Kensley Phillips work through a drill at a July 23 workout. Knights volleyball and cross-country will begin their 2020-21 season next month, but COVID-19 restrictions will keep spectators at a minimum. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Ivy Odom (front) and Kensley Phillips work through a drill at a July 23 workout. Knights volleyball and cross-country will begin their 2020-21 season next month, but COVID-19 restrictions will keep spectators at a minimum. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Spectators limited for fall sports

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Raleigh – An Oct. 15 announcement from the N.C. High School Athletic Association confirmed what many had feared: sports will begin next month, but crowds will be sparse. In the release, the association maintained its desire to mirror both advice from the N.C.
Robbinsville senior Rylee Anderson crosses the threshold for one of his five rushing touchdowns during Saturday’s 1A state championship game against Northampton County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Rylee Anderson crosses the threshold for one of his five rushing touchdowns during Saturday’s 1A state championship game against Northampton County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

They threw away the mold

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Players like Rylee Anderson simply do not come around every day.
Robbinsville’s Lex Hooper churns his way to a 20-yard touchdown during Saturday’s 1A state championship game against Northampton County. Hooper will be the Black Knights’ main gun in the backfield next season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Lex Hooper churns his way to a 20-yard touchdown during Saturday’s 1A state championship game against Northampton County. Hooper will be the Black Knights’ main gun in the backfield next season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Can they go back to back?

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Durham – Fear not, Black Knights fans: Robbinsville will be just fine next year.
Filled with emotion, Robbinsville head coach Dee Walsh joins Clayson Lane, Kamron McGuire, Rylee Anderson and Grady Garland (from left) in accepting the 1A state championship trophy after Saturday’s win over the Northampton County Jaguars. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Filled with emotion, Robbinsville head coach Dee Walsh joins Clayson Lane, Kamron McGuire, Rylee Anderson and Grady Garland (from left) in accepting the 1A state championship trophy after Saturday’s win over the Northampton County Jaguars. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Chock Full O'Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Now that Robbinsville has claimed its 14th 1A state football championship, the Smoky Mountain Conference has released its All-Conference awards for the 2019 campaign. And almost everywhere you look, you see a representative from the Black Knights.
Members of the Robbinsville football team pose with their 1A state championship banner and trophy, after the Black Knights defeated the Northampton County Jaguars 45-14 at Duke University’s Wallace Wade Stadium. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville football team pose with their 1A state championship banner and trophy, after the Black Knights defeated the Northampton County Jaguars 45-14 at Duke University’s Wallace Wade Stadium. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

14th crown for Title Town

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Durham – It was the perfect way to cap off a perfect season.
Robbinsville quarterback Nathan Collins prepares to take the snap during the first half of Saturday's 1A state championship football game in Durham. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville quarterback Nathan Collins prepares to take the snap during the first half of Saturday's 1A state championship football game in Durham. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Black Knights win second 1A title of decade

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Durham – Behind the strength of five Rylee Anderson touchdowns, a Cody Cline field goal and a rushing score from Lex Hooper, Robbinsville is back atop the 1A state mountaintop.

And then there was one ...

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 13, 2019
Robbinsville – The Black Knights’ win over the Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Gryphons on Friday ensured that a Smoky Mountain Conference team will appear in every 1A state championship football game of the decade. Robbinsville will now be the Western representative in three of the 10.