SMCJVFB

With Kellen Ensley (52) running interference, JV Black Knights quarterback Luke Lovin rolls out for a pass Sept. 8 at Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Haden Key/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

With Kellen Ensley (52) running interference, JV Black Knights quarterback Luke Lovin rolls out for a pass Sept. 8 at Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Haden Key/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

JV Knights edge Cherokee

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Cherokee – Much like their varsity counterparts would do the next night, the junior varsity Black Knights won a game on a post-touchdown play. Taking on Cherokee in a pivotal Smoky Mountain Conference showdown on Sept.
JV Black Knight Tillman Adams (12) lays waste to a would-be Swain County defender during Robbinsville’s 12-8 loss to the Maroon Devils on Sept. 1. Photo courtesy of Carlos Lopez/Robbinsville High School

JV Black Knight Tillman Adams (12) lays waste to a would-be Swain County defender during Robbinsville’s 12-8 loss to the Maroon Devils on Sept. 1. Photo courtesy of Carlos Lopez/Robbinsville High School

Devils edge JV Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Robbinsville – A third-quarter lead slipped away late for the junior varsity Black Knights, who fell to 1-2 on Sept. 1 by dropping a 12-8 heartbreaker to conference foe Swain County at Modeal Walsh Memorial Stadium.
Black Knights’ lineman Dane Daniels (72) pursues Mountain Heritage quarterback Brayden Deyton during Aug. 25’s game against the Cougars. Photo courtesy of Carlos Lopez/Robbinsville High School

Black Knights’ lineman Dane Daniels (72) pursues Mountain Heritage quarterback Brayden Deyton during Aug. 25’s game against the Cougars. Photo courtesy of Carlos Lopez/Robbinsville High School

JV upended by Cougars

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Waynesville – It started off promising enough: Robbinsville recovered a fumble, then scored a touchdown and punched in a conversion to take an 8-0 lead. No one could have predicted that would be the final offensive highlight for the Black Knights on Aug. 25.

Dominance

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Candler – A mere 66 yards offensive yards surrendered. Robbinsville (1-0) made a resounding statement in its first junior-varsity contest of the year, played Aug. 18 at a neutral site – Enka High School. The opposition? The Mitchell Mountaineers.
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.
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.
Andrew Adams wraps up Murphy’s Will Shore during Robbinsville’s loss to the Bulldogs on Sept. 23. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Andrew Adams wraps up Murphy’s Will Shore during Robbinsville’s loss to the Bulldogs on Sept. 23. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Black Knights stymied by Bulldogs

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Robbinsville – Squandered opportunities. That’s the biggest takeaway from Robbinsville’s junior varsity loss to Murphy on Sept. 23. The Knights were deep in Bulldogs territory on several occasions, but were unable to cash in and ultimately fell 22-0.
Robbinsville’s Cooper Adams rushed for two touchdowns and two conversions in the Knights’ 34-12 season-opening win over Cherokee. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Cooper Adams rushed for two touchdowns and two conversions in the Knights’ 34-12 season-opening win over Cherokee. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Black Knights win opener in convincing fashion

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Robbinsville – After several delays, the Black Knights’ junior varsity team finally got its 2021 football season started Sept. 16. As is custom, Robbinsville put the entire Smoky Mountain Conference on notice.
Alexis Panama (24) evades a Swain defender during a carry in April 1’s game. Panama was named the Robbinsville Black Knights junior varsity MVP after April 8’s road finale at Rosman, which saw Robbinsville clinch a share of the Smoky Mountain Conference title. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Alexis Panama (24) evades a Swain defender during a carry in April 1’s game. Panama was named the Robbinsville Black Knights junior varsity MVP after April 8’s road finale at Rosman, which saw Robbinsville clinch a share of the Smoky Mountain Conference title. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

The future is bright

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Rosman – For the first time since 2013, Robbinsville sits atop the Smoky Mountain Conference junior varsity football standings. The Black Knights (5-1) finished the year by disposing of the Rosman Tigers in a 54-0 road triumph on April 8, securing a share of the division crown with Murphy.

Against all odds

Kevin Hensley
Friday, April 9, 2021
Bryson City – Seven hours before kickoff, the junior varsity Black Knights found out their home finale had been switched to Swain County – a move necessitated by poor field conditions, spurned by heavy rainfall. And at halftime, Robbinsville had not scored.