Injury bug hits Andrews
Robbinsville – Andrews’ varsity football team hit the road for their second Smoky Mountain Conference matchup Friday night, with the Wildcats falling to the Black Knights 56-0.
Robbinsville (4-2) opened the scoring with about seven minutes left in the first quarter on a passing touchdown. After the extra point, the Knights led 7-0.
On the next drive for Andrews (0-6), Robbinsville intercepted the ball and returned it 40 yards for a pick 6. They made the extra point to extend their lead to 14-0.
To end the first quarter, Robbinsville rushed the ball in from 14 yards out to extend its lead again. The Knights made the extra point to lead 21-0 heading into the second quarter.
Early in the second quarter, Robbinsville tacked onto their lead with a 7-yard rushing touchdown. The Knights made the extra point to lead 28-0.
Robbinsville extended its lead to 35-0 on a 5-yard rushing down and successful extra point with about four minutes left in the quarter. In the final minute of the second quarter, Robbinsville found pay-dirt again on a 46-yard rush, making the extra point to lead 42-0 at halftime.
Andrews’ offense failed to find the end zone, and the Cats’ defense struggled against the Robbinsville run game.
With about five minutes left in the third quarter, the Black Knights rushed the ball in from 1 yard out.
Robbinsville made the extra point to lead 49-0.
In the final minute of the third quarter, Andrews threw its second pick 6 of the game. Robbinsville returned it 35 yards and made the extra point to lead 56-0, the final score.
Wildcats head coach Jason Johnson said his biggest takeaway from Friday’s game is his team needs need to get healthy.
“We came into the Robbinsville game down five starters. Of course, the big one we missed was Will Phillips. He’s an All-Conference-type corner, and not having him the rest of the season is going to hurt and that showed Friday night and it hurt us Friday night,” Johnson said.
“We can’t play freshman and sophomores all over the field against a good team like Robbinsville.”
In Friday night’s game, Logan Shuler, Cooper Orr and Gabe Aguilar stood out to Johnson.
“Logan Shuler stepped up and stepped in at quarterback. He was put in a tight situation, but he stepped in and played it pretty well at times. I thought Cooper Orr, he played big for us, he had a good game,” Johnson said.
“Of course, Gabe Aguilar. He continues, week after week, to get better and play up front on both sides of the ball.”
On what they’re going to do during their open week, Johnson said, “We’re going to get healthy. We’re going to watch some film and get back to the basics and some fundamentals … and hopefully get some guys back.”
Up next
Following their matchup with Robbinsville, the Wildcats will have an open week to rest, recover and prepare for the remainder of the season.
After the open week, the Wildcats will host Rosman and celebrate homecoming at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10. The last time the Wildcats played the Tigers was April 9, 2021, when Andrews won 40-6.