SMCFB

Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights crowd around the 1A Western Regional Championship trophy moments after defeating the Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Gryphons 28-14 on Friday night. Photo by Byron Housley/The Graham Star

Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights crowd around the 1A Western Regional Championship trophy moments after defeating the Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Gryphons 28-14 on Friday night. Photo by Byron Housley/The Graham Star

Kings of the West

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 13, 2019
Robbinsville – In the final home game of the year, the Black Knights showed why they are 14-0. Robbinsville welcomed the Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Gryphons on Friday night, to determine the 1A Western Regional champion.
Robbinsville High School principal David Matheson (right) presents Black Knight players (from left) Carlos Wesley, Grady Garland, Kamron McGuire, Clayson Lane and Rylee Anderson with the 1A Western Regional Championship trophy, moments after a 28-14 win over Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy on Friday night. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville High School principal David Matheson (right) presents Black Knight players (from left) Carlos Wesley, Grady Garland, Kamron McGuire, Clayson Lane and Rylee Anderson with the 1A Western Regional Championship trophy, moments after a 28-14 win over Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy on Friday night. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Knights reach 1A state title game

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 6, 2019
Robbinsville – For the first time since 2015, Robbinsville is heading to the state finals. The Black Knights (14-0) defeated the visiting Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Gryphons (12-2) to win the 1A Western Regional Championship Friday night, 28-14.
Robbinsville quarterback Nathan Collins (5) looks to outpace the defense of Murphy’s Ray Rathburn during Friday’s third-round playoff game. Collins had two rushing touchdowns in the Knights’ 24-13 win over the Bulldogs. Photos by Byron Housley/The Graham Star

Robbinsville quarterback Nathan Collins (5) looks to outpace the defense of Murphy’s Ray Rathburn during Friday’s third-round playoff game. Collins had two rushing touchdowns in the Knights’ 24-13 win over the Bulldogs. Photos by Byron Housley/The Graham Star

Black Friday

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Robbinsville – Long after most everyone was finished with their holiday shopping, Robbinsville took advantage of a home-field discount. The Black Knights (13-0) welcomed the Bulldogs (10-3) for the third round of the N.C.
The Robbinsville Black Knights get set at the line of scrimmage during the second half of Friday's 24-13 third-round playoff win over Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Black Knights get set at the line of scrimmage during the second half of Friday's 24-13 third-round playoff win over Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Knights advance to second-straight Western final

Kevin Hensley
Friday, November 29, 2019
Robbinsville – Last year's 1A Western Regional Final pitted Murphy against Robbinsville. This year, that same match-up took place … only one round sooner.
Even Alleghany defensive back Lucas Wigg (31) could not slow down Robbinsville’s Lex Hooper on Nov. 21. The Knights’ running back scored three touchdowns in a 40-22, second-round playoff win over the Trojans. Photos by Byron Housley/The Graham Star

Even Alleghany defensive back Lucas Wigg (31) could not slow down Robbinsville’s Lex Hooper on Nov. 21. The Knights’ running back scored three touchdowns in a 40-22, second-round playoff win over the Trojans. Photos by Byron Housley/The Graham Star

Trojan horse

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Robbinsville – It’s time for Knights/Bulldogs II. Only this time, it will be under the Big Oaks. Robbinsville (12-0) knocked off the visiting Alleghany Trojans (4-9) in the second round of the 1A state playoffs on Nov.
Coach Lucas Ford (left) can't contain his excitement as Clayson Lane (15) and Lex Hooper (20) rejoice in the moment Friday night at Murphy, after Robbinsville moved the chains for the final time in a Smoky Mountain Conference title-clinching 17-14 win over the Bulldogs. Photos by Byron Housley/The Graham Star

Coach Lucas Ford (left) can't contain his excitement as Clayson Lane (15) and Lex Hooper (20) rejoice in the moment Friday night at Murphy, after Robbinsville moved the chains for the final time in a Smoky Mountain Conference title-clinching 17-14 win over the Bulldogs. Photos by Byron Housley/The Graham Star

What a Knight!

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Murphy – In a high-stakes situation, Robbinsville hit the jackpot. The Black Knights (11-0) rallied from a halftime deficit Friday night at Murphy (9-2) to stun the Bulldogs 17-14, clinching the program’s first Smoky Mountain Conference title since 2015.
Surrounded by a pack of Wildcats – six to be exact – Robbinsville senior Rylee Anderson trucks ahead during Friday’s 28-7 win over Andrews. Anderson broke the all-time Black Knights rushing record in the fourth quarter of the game. Photo by Byron Housley/The Graham Star

Surrounded by a pack of Wildcats – six to be exact – Robbinsville senior Rylee Anderson trucks ahead during Friday’s 28-7 win over Andrews. Anderson broke the all-time Black Knights rushing record in the fourth quarter of the game. Photo by Byron Housley/The Graham Star

5,614 steps to history

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Robbinsville – Rylee Anderson entered Friday’s regular-season home finale against Andrews just 152 yards shy of rewriting the record books. Anderson broke free on the third Robbinsville snap from scrimmage for a 68-yard rushing touchdown.
Black Knights Clayson Lane, Rossi Wachacha and Kamron McGuire (from left) were pumped up after Candler Edwards recovered a Swain County fumble during the first quarter of Monday’s 43-6 win over the Maroon Devils. Photos by Byron Housley/The Graham Star

Black Knights Clayson Lane, Rossi Wachacha and Kamron McGuire (from left) were pumped up after Candler Edwards recovered a Swain County fumble during the first quarter of Monday’s 43-6 win over the Maroon Devils. Photos by Byron Housley/The Graham Star

Monday Knight delight

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Robbinsville – On Hall of Fame night, Robbinsville put on a display that will be discussed for years to come. A much-hyped showdown with the Swain County Maroon Devils (7-2) proved to be a lopsided affair, as the Black Knights (9-0) controlled both sides of the ball in a resounding 43-6 victory.
Pictured is the 1970 Robbinsville football team. From left are: Front row: Randal Phillips, Dale Hill, Boes Baker, Kenneth Cody, Ronnie Waldroup, William Collins, Donald George and Dwayne Cable. Second row: Coach Bob Colvin, Jimmy Turner, Barry Millsaps, Randall Burchfield, Roger Anderson, Ricky Davis, Terry Odom, Billy Jenkins, John Paul Wachacha and coach Bergin Edwards. Back row: Tim Brock, Andy Smith, Lowell Snider, Mark Manuel, Jacob Jackson, David Jordan, Larry Sawyer, Dewight Wachacha, Marty George.

Pictured is the 1970 Robbinsville football team. From left are: Front row: Randal Phillips, Dale Hill, Boes Baker, Kenneth Cody, Ronnie Waldroup, William Collins, Donald George and Dwayne Cable. Second row: Coach Bob Colvin, Jimmy Turner, Barry Millsaps, Randall Burchfield, Roger Anderson, Ricky Davis, Terry Odom, Billy Jenkins, John Paul Wachacha and coach Bergin Edwards. Back row: Tim Brock, Andy Smith, Lowell Snider, Mark Manuel, Jacob Jackson, David Jordan, Larry Sawyer, Dewight Wachacha, Marty George.

Robbinsville High to induct 4 new candidates

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Robbinsville – Four new inductees have been selected for the Robbinsville High School Hall of Fame. Both the 1970 and 1973 state championship football teams, as well as Weston Haney and Terry Trost, will be inducted into the esteemed class at halftime of Friday’s home game against Swain County.