SMCFB

The measure to demolish perilous seating on the home side of Big Oaks Stadium was approved around 11:30 a.m. June 29. Two hours later, work commenced. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The measure to demolish perilous seating on the home side of Big Oaks Stadium was approved around 11:30 a.m. June 29. Two hours later, work commenced. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Beat the clock

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 6, 2023
Robbinsville – Friday Night Lights might get to create a familiar glow in Robbinsville after all.
As evident from the bottom row of bleachers at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium, support for the seating area has caused a significant shift in the alignment of the arrangement, which has Graham County Schools exploring other venues to play “home” football games this fall. Note the large gap between the two bottom sections and the off-center meeting points of the row above.

As evident from the bottom row of bleachers at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium, support for the seating area has caused a significant shift in the alignment of the arrangement, which has Graham County Schools exploring other venues to play “home” football games this fall. Note the large gap between the two bottom sections and the off-center meeting points of the row above.

Big Oaks football unlikely this fall

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Robbinsville – ‘This should be good,’ quipped Graham County Board of Education Chair Rodney Nelson.
Haden Key signed to play football at Brevard College on May 3. Sitting with Key are his mother Joanna and coach Wren Millsaps. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Haden Key signed to play football at Brevard College on May 3. Sitting with Key are his mother Joanna and coach Wren Millsaps. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Key opens next door

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 15, 2023
Robbinsville – Perhaps the most important players on the gridiron rarely get the recognition they so richly deserve.
Robert “Bob” Parette Colvin left an indelible mark on the Robbinsville football program, leading the Black Knights to nearly 80 percent of their 1A state championships. The beloved coach passed away Jan. 25.

Robert “Bob” Parette Colvin left an indelible mark on the Robbinsville football program, leading the Black Knights to nearly 80 percent of their 1A state championships. The beloved coach passed away Jan. 25.

'A very special man’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 2, 2023
This iconic photo of Bob Colvin celebrating with the 1969 1A state championship trophy – the first in Robbinsville history – was selected as the cover of The Graham Star’s 2017 publication, Title Town.
Cuttler Adams examines the Eastern Randolph defense in the third round of the 1A playoffs on Nov. 18. Adams was recently afforded the distinction of Co-Smoky Mountain Conference Back of the Year. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Cuttler Adams examines the Eastern Randolph defense in the third round of the 1A playoffs on Nov. 18. Adams was recently afforded the distinction of Co-Smoky Mountain Conference Back of the Year. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Adams named Co-Back of the Year

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – With all Smoky Mountain Conference teams out of the playoff race, the division has released its annual All-Conference listings.
Cuttler Adams (4) dashes around the pursuit of Eastern Randolph’s Pierce Leonard on a second-half run Friday. Adams eclipsed 200 rushing yards in the game, but Robbinsville fell 29-26 to the Wildcats in the third round of the state playoffs. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Cuttler Adams (4) dashes around the pursuit of Eastern Randolph’s Pierce Leonard on a second-half run Friday. Adams eclipsed 200 rushing yards in the game, but Robbinsville fell 29-26 to the Wildcats in the third round of the state playoffs. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Wild ending spurns loss

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Ramseur – There is really no way the Black Knights’ 2022 campaign should have ended before Thanksgiving. Robbinsville outgained Eastern Randolph 465-197 in total yardage, had 22 first downs to the Wildcats’ 10 and overcame a 10-point deficit at halftime to carry a lead into the fourth quarter.
Led by the protection of classmate Tytan Teesateskie (72), Robbinsville sophomore quarterback Bryce Adams scans his downfield options Nov. 10 against Cherokee. Bryce completed eight passes – two for touchdowns to his brother, Brock Adams – and collected 131 yards in the Knights’ 39-12 second-round playoff victory over the Braves. Photos courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Led by the protection of classmate Tytan Teesateskie (72), Robbinsville sophomore quarterback Bryce Adams scans his downfield options Nov. 10 against Cherokee. Bryce completed eight passes – two for touchdowns to his brother, Brock Adams – and collected 131 yards in the Knights’ 39-12 second-round playoff victory over the Braves. Photos courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Icing on the cake

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Robbinsville – If that was the final home game of the season, what a way to go out. The Black Knights peppered 39 points across the first three quarters of the Nov. 10 playoff affair against Cherokee, clinching a Sweet 16 berth by knocking off the divisional rival 39-12 under the Big Oaks.
Robbinsville seniors Brock Adams (left) and Kensley Phillips were recently named as the school’s 2022 Heisman High School Scholarship winners. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville seniors Brock Adams (left) and Kensley Phillips were recently named as the school’s 2022 Heisman High School Scholarship winners. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Success pays off

News Staff
Friday, November 11, 2022
Robbinsville – A pair of Black Knight seniors were recently awarded for their academic and athletic endeavors. Brock Adams and Kensley Phillips were selected last week as Robbinsville’s 2022 Heisman High School Scholarship recipients.
Junior fullback Kage Williams (33) soaks in the realization that he will be playing his first home game of the season before first-round playoff action kicked off Friday. Williams ended up with two rushing touchdowns and two PATs in Robbinsville’s 40-14 win over the Ironmen. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Junior fullback Kage Williams (33) soaks in the realization that he will be playing his first home game of the season before first-round playoff action kicked off Friday. Williams ended up with two rushing touchdowns and two PATs in Robbinsville’s 40-14 win over the Ironmen. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Goes together like biscuits and gravy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Robbinsville – He’s back.
The Black Knights’ defense – led by Haden Key, Quinn Jumper, Jude Campbell, Roman Jones, Cuttler Adams and Carlos Lopez (clockwise from center) – swarm Hayesville’s Taylor McClure to stuff the Jackets’ top running threat Friday. Robbinsville held Hayesville to just 64 rushing yards on the night. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Black Knights’ defense – led by Haden Key, Quinn Jumper, Jude Campbell, Roman Jones, Cuttler Adams and Carlos Lopez (clockwise from center) – swarm Hayesville’s Taylor McClure to stuff the Jackets’ top running threat Friday. Robbinsville held Hayesville to just 64 rushing yards on the night. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The real Black Swarm

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Hayesville – Admittedly, there was a lot of hype surrounding Friday’s Smoky Mountain Conference title game in Murphy. So it’s OK if you forgot that Robbinsville played a game just 15 miles away at the exact same time. However, the Knights did not forget.