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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.
As part of a fundraiser, the Robbinsville Black Knights football team is selling a limited number of game-used helmets.

As part of a fundraiser, the Robbinsville Black Knights football team is selling a limited number of game-used helmets.

Game-worn helmets on sale

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Robbinsville – For a limited time, you can purchase a piece of Black Knights football history. New head coach Lucas Ford announced Friday that helmets worn by members of the Robbinsville football program were available to buy. Only 35 will be sold; the cost is $100.
Lucas Ford reviews a play with Tanner Hedden during Aug. 30’s game at Franklin. Ford’s rapport with the players had many of the Robbinsville faithful pulling for the Black Knight alum to be appointed as the new head football coach; Feb. 6, he was announced as Dee Walsh’s successor. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lucas Ford reviews a play with Tanner Hedden during Aug. 30’s game at Franklin. Ford’s rapport with the players had many of the Robbinsville faithful pulling for the Black Knight alum to be appointed as the new head football coach; Feb. 6, he was announced as Dee Walsh’s successor. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Built Ford tough

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Robbinsville – Less than 24 hours after being publicly named as the new head football coach and athletic director for Robbinsville High School, Lucas Ford scrolled through his phone in sheer amazement. “Look at this,” he said to a small crowd gathered around him.
Dee Walsh gives one final pep talk before what proved to also be his final preseason scrimmage Aug. 16 at T.C. Roberson High School. After winning 189 career games in 22 seasons at his alma mater, Walsh announced he was stepping down as both head football coach and Robbinsville High School’s athletic director Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Dee Walsh gives one final pep talk before what proved to also be his final preseason scrimmage Aug. 16 at T.C. Roberson High School. After winning 189 career games in 22 seasons at his alma mater, Walsh announced he was stepping down as both head football coach and Robbinsville High School’s athletic director Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

End of an era

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 31, 2025
Dee Walsh was the quarterback of back-to-back state championship football teams for Robbinsville in 1973 and 1974. The Black Knights were 21-5 during the run. Robbinsville – One could argue that Dee Walsh has spent more time coaching Black Knights football than in the comfort of his own recliner.
Amidst a first-quarter scrum, Robbinsville’s Kasen Buchanan (88) wraps up Murphy’s Cameron Clem during Friday’s third-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Amidst a first-quarter scrum, Robbinsville’s Kasen Buchanan (88) wraps up Murphy’s Cameron Clem during Friday’s third-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Friday

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 6, 2024
Murphy – The Black Knights and the Bulldogs meeting for postseason supremacy is almost a rite of passage at this point.  In fact, both the 2018 and 2020 Western Regional title games were contested between the two Smoky Mountain Conference foes; in 2021, they met in the Elite 8.
Senior quarterback Bryce Adams finds an opening during Nov. 15’s first-round playoff game against Thomasville. Adams rushed for three touchdowns in the second round Friday, leading the Black Knights past Bessemer City. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Senior quarterback Bryce Adams finds an opening during Nov. 15’s first-round playoff game against Thomasville. Adams rushed for three touchdowns in the second round Friday, leading the Black Knights past Bessemer City. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Suffocating swarm

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Bessemer City – All the buzz around Robbinsville’s football season reaching its conclusion suddenly quietened when news emerged from suburban Charlotte of Friday’s outcome. After pulling back above .
Junior fullback Isiac Collins (7) decisively denies Thomasville’s Elijah McNeair with a stiff-arm during Friday’s first-round playoff win over the Bulldogs. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Junior fullback Isiac Collins (7) decisively denies Thomasville’s Elijah McNeair with a stiff-arm during Friday’s first-round playoff win over the Bulldogs. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

No bones about it

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 21, 2024
The box score from Nov. 15, 2024's game between Thomasville and Robbinsville. Robbinsville – It took until the third quarter, but the Black Knights showed a familiar playoff swagger Friday night.
Kasen Buchanan (55), John Dominguez (74) and Tytan Teesateskie (72) crunch Swain County’s Zeke Glaspie for a loss in the first half of Friday’s shutout over the Maroon Devils. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Kasen Buchanan (55), John Dominguez (74) and Tytan Teesateskie (72) crunch Swain County’s Zeke Glaspie for a loss in the first half of Friday’s shutout over the Maroon Devils. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Devils advocates

Kevin Hensley
Monday, November 18, 2024
The box score from Nov. 8, 2024's game between Robbinsville and Swain County. Bryson City – Mixed into last year’s run was two different home games against a Smoky Mountain Conference foe: the Swain County Maroon Devils.
Robbinsville's Cameron Allison (14), Luke Lovin (3) and Bryce Adams (6) combine forces to drop Thomasville's Keshawn Carpenter during Friday's first-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville's Cameron Allison (14), Luke Lovin (3) and Bryce Adams (6) combine forces to drop Thomasville's Keshawn Carpenter during Friday's first-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Knights joust Bulldogs, advance to 2nd round

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, November 16, 2024
    Robbinsville – It took until the third quarter, but the Black Knights showed a familiar playoff swagger Friday night.