Trojans

Knox Orr controls Alleghany’s Elijah Barker during the second round of the state dual-team postseason Saturday. Orr went on to pin Barker and clinch a third-round berth for Robbinsville. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Knox Orr controls Alleghany’s Elijah Barker during the second round of the state dual-team postseason Saturday. Orr went on to pin Barker and clinch a third-round berth for Robbinsville. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

3rd round bound

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Robbinsville – There’s a reason the third round of the dual-team postseason is dubbed the “Elite 8.” The Black Knights found out after Wednesday’s press deadline if their duals roster was strong enough to withstand another tough evening of competition, as Robbinsville (No.
Delaney Brooms took a chance by visiting Fayetteville Technical Community College on July 26 – and left with a scholarship to play volleyball.

Delaney Brooms took a chance by visiting Fayetteville Technical Community College on July 26 – and left with a scholarship to play volleyball.

Sweeping plans out from under the rug

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Robbinsville – As the ink was drying on former Lady Knights teammate Aubrie Wachacha’s volleyball/basketball commitment to Warren Wilson College, Delaney Brooms was busy securing her future some 352 miles away.
Kyler Branham hooks Mitchell's Jayden Burleson for an eventual near-fall in the second round of the state dual-team tournament Saturday. Branham went on to score the second majority decision for Robbinsville in the match. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Kyler Branham hooks Mitchell's Jayden Burleson for an eventual near-fall in the second round of the state dual-team tournament Saturday. Branham went on to score the second majority decision for Robbinsville in the match. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights ousted by Vikings

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Newland – The quest for another 1A dual team championship will have to wait at least one more year. Despite holding the No. 1 Western seed, Robbinsville (32-3) had to travel to Avery County (No. 2) for regional competition in the state postseason Jan. 31.
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.
Darion Ledbetter clutches one of his two interceptions Friday at Alleghany – both of which led to touchdowns in Robbinsville’s 35-7 win over the Trojans. Photos courtesy of Stewart Royall/Studio Roxie

Darion Ledbetter clutches one of his two interceptions Friday at Alleghany – both of which led to touchdowns in Robbinsville’s 35-7 win over the Trojans. Photos courtesy of Stewart Royall/Studio Roxie

Eat. Sleep. Conquer. Repeat.

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 15, 2023
Sparta – Returning the favor from last year’s homecoming visit, Robbinsville made the 250-mile trek to Alleghany County on Friday.
Robbinsville’s Cuttler Adams emerges for an eventual 29-yard touchdown run that would cement the Knights’ 28-17 win at Mountain Heritage on Friday. Adams now has 5,075 rushing yards in his career. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Cuttler Adams emerges for an eventual 29-yard touchdown run that would cement the Knights’ 28-17 win at Mountain Heritage on Friday. Adams now has 5,075 rushing yards in his career. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Runaway momentum

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Burnsville – One might expect a pre-game glimpse inside the Black Knights’ locker room to be upbeat, loud and full of teenagers who are psyching themselves up for that evening’s assignment. Sorry to disappoint, but that does not fit Robbinsville’s mantra this year.
Loxston Hooper pins Murphy’s Dalton Farmer to win the 120-pound bout of Saturday’s first-round, dual-team tournament match in Robbinsville. The Black Knights went on to steamroll the Bulldogs 81-0, before downing Alleghany 58-15 to advance to the Elite 8. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Loxston Hooper pins Murphy’s Dalton Farmer to win the 120-pound bout of Saturday’s first-round, dual-team tournament match in Robbinsville. The Black Knights went on to steamroll the Bulldogs 81-0, before downing Alleghany 58-15 to advance to the Elite 8. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights takedown 2; advance to Elite 8

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Robbinsville – The Bulldogs and Trojans had a tough row to hoe Saturday: the buzzsaw that is “The ‘Ville.
Robbinsville senior Willie Riddle locks horns with Franklin’s Chase Browning during the Nov. 30 home dual against the Panthers. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville senior Willie Riddle locks horns with Franklin’s Chase Browning during the Nov. 30 home dual against the Panthers. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

‘The ‘Ville’ off to 10-1 start

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 9, 2022
Robbinsville – The only surefire way to ensure improvement from start to finish is to get in as many live-action reps as possible. Back for his fourth stint as the Black Knights’ head coach, David Haney has packed Robbinsville’s 2022-23 schedule with a wide variety of competition.
Not a Trojan was found in the path of senior fullback Turner Jackson on Friday, as he began a 58-yard scoring sprint during the Knights’ 40-7 squashing of Alleghany. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Not a Trojan was found in the path of senior fullback Turner Jackson on Friday, as he began a 58-yard scoring sprint during the Knights’ 40-7 squashing of Alleghany. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Anything but a war

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 30, 2022
Robbinsville – If you are a casual observer, you would have never known the Black Knights had not played a football game in two weeks. The Alleghany Trojans made a 4 ½-hour trip for Friday’s homecoming game at Robbinsville.
With the final outcome solidified on the scoreboard, Robbinsville’s Jude Campbell (32), Carson Lovin (9), Turner Jackson (7) and Haden Key (66) swarm Brock Adams after his victory-clinching interception Friday at Smoky Mountain. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

With the final outcome solidified on the scoreboard, Robbinsville’s Jude Campbell (32), Carson Lovin (9), Turner Jackson (7) and Haden Key (66) swarm Brock Adams after his victory-clinching interception Friday at Smoky Mountain. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Pickin’ and grinnin

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Sylva – With 1:45 left in Friday’s game, Smoky Mountain quarterback Jed West aired out a long pass downfield.