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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.
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.
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.
An emotional group of Black Knights accept the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s 1A Western Regional runner-up plaque Friday night at Mitchell High School. From left are Carson White, Isaac Wiggins, Drake Hill, Carlos Wesley, Dasan Gross and Eddie Brooms. Photo by Zack Colburn/ZWCSports

An emotional group of Black Knights accept the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s 1A Western Regional runner-up plaque Friday night at Mitchell High School. From left are Carson White, Isaac Wiggins, Drake Hill, Carlos Wesley, Dasan Gross and Eddie Brooms. Photo by Zack Colburn/ZWCSports

Black Knights ousted in Western Regional final

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Bakersville – From the opening kickoff Friday night, Mitchell’s line dominated the 1A Western Regional Final.
Dasan Gross fires a rocket to Cuttler Adams during Friday’s fourth-round playoff game against Murphy. In Gross’ strongest showing to date, the senior quarterback finished the game 9-of-11, with 136 passing yards and seven, third-down conversion completions. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Dasan Gross fires a rocket to Cuttler Adams during Friday’s fourth-round playoff game against Murphy. In Gross’ strongest showing to date, the senior quarterback finished the game 9-of-11, with 136 passing yards and seven, third-down conversion completions. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Taking a bite out of the competition

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Robbinsville – Dasan Gross was the most inaccessible man on the field after Friday’s game.
Sophomore fullback Kage Williams pushes across the goal line Friday night against North Rowan. Williams had two rushing touchdowns in Robbinsville’s 50-47 third-round playoff win over the Cavaliers. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Sophomore fullback Kage Williams pushes across the goal line Friday night against North Rowan. Williams had two rushing touchdowns in Robbinsville’s 50-47 third-round playoff win over the Cavaliers. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Preserve. Persevere. Prevail.

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Robbinsville – In a game that featured 97 combined points and a collective 962 total offensive yards, Robbinsville prevailed Friday night.
Cuttler Adams evades the pursuit of two Cherokee defenders during Friday’s second-round playoff victory over the Braves. Adams had four rushing touchdowns in the game. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Cuttler Adams evades the pursuit of two Cherokee defenders during Friday’s second-round playoff victory over the Braves. Adams had four rushing touchdowns in the game. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Just another day at the office

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Robbinsville – The second meeting this season between the Black Knights and Cherokee Braves completely flipped the script. Robbinsville (No. 4 seed, 8-3) rode a wave of six rushing touchdowns and a stubborn defensive showcase in its quest for revenge against Cherokee (No.