Panthers

Bass Woods scored the final touchdown of the Robbinsville PeeWees’ season and recorded a pair of conversion runs in Saturday's Cracker Bowl game against Franklin. Photos by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Bass Woods scored the final touchdown of the Robbinsville PeeWees’ season and recorded a pair of conversion runs in Saturday's Cracker Bowl game against Franklin. Photos by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Robbinsville PeeWees, Midgets fall in Cracker Bowl

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Cherokee – Two Robbinsville teams qualified for the annual Smokey Mountain Youth Conference Cracker Bowl. But in an unusual occurrence, the Black Knights returned home empty-handed. The Robbinsville PeeWees (No. 1, 9-1) were upset by the No.
Isiac Collins carries a trio of Franklin defenders en route to Robbinsville’s only touchdown Friday. Photos by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Isiac Collins carries a trio of Franklin defenders en route to Robbinsville’s only touchdown Friday. Photos by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Knights unable to halt balanced Panthers

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 4, 2025
The box score from Aug. 29, 2025's game between Franklin and Robbinsville.
After making a reception during the July 10, 7-on-7 scrimmage against Tuscola, Isiac Collins weaves through the Mountaineer defense. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

After making a reception during the July 10, 7-on-7 scrimmage against Tuscola, Isiac Collins weaves through the Mountaineer defense. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Early glimpse

Kevin Hensley
Monday, July 21, 2025
Waynesville – This week marks the end of Robbinsville’s most-active offseason in many years. Athletes, coaches and the Black Knights fan base are reinvigorated by a regime change; in return, attendance for summer workouts has been higher than usual.
Robbinsville’s Easton Shuler (2) tries to beat the relay throw to home plate during Game 1 of April 9’s doubleheader against Franklin. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville’s Easton Shuler (2) tries to beat the relay throw to home plate during Game 1 of April 9’s doubleheader against Franklin. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights giving divisional foes fits

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 17, 2025
After returning to the postseason picture in 2024 – their first appearance since 2011 – and collecting 10 wins for the first time since 2010, the Black Knights entered 2025 with a lot of optimism.
Senior Tanner Hedden was all fired up after dropping Braydon Hervey for a first-quarter loss Friday. Giving kudos to Hedden for the stop is Isiac Collins (7). Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Senior Tanner Hedden was all fired up after dropping Braydon Hervey for a first-quarter loss Friday. Giving kudos to Hedden for the stop is Isiac Collins (7). Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Panthers win rematch

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 5, 2024
The box score from Aug. 30, 2024's game between Robbinsville and Franklin. Franklin – To say the Panthers have improved ten-fold from this time last year would be an understatement.
Robbinsville quarterback Bryce Adams breaks away from the pursuit of East Surry’s Luke Bruner during Friday’s 21-19 loss to the Cardinals. Photos courtesy of JR Willoughby Photography

Robbinsville quarterback Bryce Adams breaks away from the pursuit of East Surry’s Luke Bruner during Friday’s 21-19 loss to the Cardinals. Photos courtesy of JR Willoughby Photography

Mistakes prove costly

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 29, 2024
The box score from Aug. 23, 2024's game between Robbinsville and East Surry. Pilot Mountain – Things got off to an exciting start, but went off the rails quickly.
Lleyton Hooper applies a half-nelson during Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Jacquline Gayosso/Contributing Photographer

Lleyton Hooper applies a half-nelson during Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Jacquline Gayosso/Contributing Photographer

Dual frenzy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Robbinsville – Six duals in a span of four days would be a grind for most programs. For Robbinsville, it’s business as usual. The Black Knights welcomed schools from across – and outside – the state for Saturday’s inaugural H.O.O.T.

Jetting toward success

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Candler – While others were spending time with loved ones or traveling for the holiday, Robbinsville’s wrestling program was busy plying its craft. The dedication paid dividends, as you could look anywhere on the results for Nov.
The anything-but-appetizing combination of “Biscuits and Gravy” – senior backs Cuttler Adams (4) and Kage Williams (33) – ran wild on the Franklin Panthers, combining for 27 carries, 150 of the Knights’ 200 rushing yards and all three of Robbinsville’s touchdowns on the ground in the 26-0 win. Photos by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

The anything-but-appetizing combination of “Biscuits and Gravy” – senior backs Cuttler Adams (4) and Kage Williams (33) – ran wild on the Franklin Panthers, combining for 27 carries, 150 of the Knights’ 200 rushing yards and all three of Robbinsville’s touchdowns on the ground in the 26-0 win. Photos by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Access: denied

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Robbinsville – On a night where the stars of tomorrow received pre-game acknowledgement, the Black Knights showed what the expectations are once you reach the high-school level.
Donovan Carpenter unleashes a pass during the first half of Friday's 26-0 rout over Franklin. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Donovan Carpenter unleashes a pass during the first half of Friday's 26-0 rout over Franklin. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Knights stifle Panthers on Youth Recognition Night

Kevin Hensley
Friday, August 25, 2023
Robbinsville – On a night where the stars of tomorrow received pre-game acknowledgement, the Black Knights showed what the expectations are once you reach the high-school level.