Murphy – It was a low-scoring game, in which both teams gained 15 first downs and one program ended up with just one offensive yard more than the other.
Friday’s default Smoky Mountain Conference title game more than lived up to the hype, as the two top teams in the league vied for the prize on David Gentry Field. The gridiron showdown added another historic chapter to the long-standing rivalry between Robbinsville and Murphy, with the Bulldogs ultimately grabbing the final treat 17-10 to capture their second-straight divisional crown.
The Black Knights struck first, taking the opening kickoff 69 yards on 14 plays and ending the meticulous effort with a two-yard Kyzik Teesateskie carry into the end zone at the 5:33 mark. Zander Lucksavage’s point-after attempt made it 7-0, Robbinsville.
After a lengthy possession of its own, Murphy (5-2, 3-0) was forced to turnover the ball after quarterback Brady Grant threw an incomplete pass on fourth down. Starting from their own nine-yard line, Robbinsville (5-3, 3-1) carried its next drive into the second quarter – but a high snap on a punt attempt turned disastrous, as the Bulldogs downed the ball in the end zone for a safety.
Now in the score column, Murphy went 62 yards on nine plays and seized the lead after Cameron Clem broke across the goal line from three yards out. The extra point by Jerry Bui pushed the Bulldogs to a 9-7 nod.
The Knights contested penalties all night with the officials, including a personal foul that was assessed on the ensuing kickoff. Working their way downfield from the 14, Robbinsville posted 15 plays before Aayden Williams picked off a pass from Black Knights gunslinger Luke Lovin.
Refusing to roll over and play dead, however, Robbinsville’s Kasen Buchanan dropped Grant for a loss to end the first half; while Kellen Ensley snuffed out Grant for a sack to begin the third. This led to just one of Murphy’s two punts on the night, which morphed into the Knights pulling back ahead when Lucksavage split the uprights on a 24-yard field goal. The 10-9 lead was the final one Robbinsville would enjoy.
Coughing up possession early in the fourth, the Black Knights held the Bulldogs at bay for as long as possible. 15 plays later, Clem punched through and scored on a 12-yard rush; Grant then passed to Williams for the two-point conversion.
With just 3:06 to go, Robbinsville desperately tried to gain yardage in the air – but each heave came up empty and with limited time remaining, Murphy converted one final, first down to wrap up the victory.
Lovin threw for 115 yards, while the Knights were limited to just 92 yards on the ground. On the flip side, Grant only passed for 31 yards – but the Bulldogs trampled their way to a collective 177 rushing yards.
Bulldogs head coach Joseph Watson said he knew the matchup would be tough and that they played well.
“I knew it was going to be a tough Smoky Mountain Conference football game, and it was. I feel like Robbinsville did a good job of game planning and scheming us up there in the first drive. They had a really good drive, ate up a bunch of clock and did a good job trying to keep the ball away from us. I feel like our defense settled in and played real well after the first series,” Watson said.
“Offensively, had some opportunities we didn’t take advantage of and finally ended up breaking free and scoring late in the fourth and getting a stop to win it. You never know in these ball games. You know you’re going to be in for a fight, things are going to happen, you’ve got to be able to adjust and continue to play. I feel like our kids hung in there and continued to play hard and finally came out and finished it off.”
Talking about Clem’s performance Friday, Watson said, “He played hard. He always plays hard. He’s a good runner and a good back and it’s great to have him back. He brings a lot of intangibles to the team. Not just him running the football, but he does a good job blocking and pass protection and at times we can get him out and get him the ball … It was great to have him back, and I think we’re turning into a pretty good backfield.”
To prepare for Friday night’s game against Andrews, Watson said, “It’s a big game against Andrews … They’re coming off a win last week, so we prepare for everybody and keep a routine and do what we do every week and prepare for everybody the same way, so we’ll try to do that with Andrews as well. We’ll have some tough practices this week and hopefully good practices pay off to having a good game Friday night. We’re looking forward to getting over there and have another Smoky Mountain Conference fight.”
The Dogs will travel to Andrews to face their in-county rivals at 7:30 p.m. Friday night.
Cherokee Scout Sports Editor Cannon Crompton contributed to this report