Cherokee hasn't had much luck against Robbinsville recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Braves will host the Black Knights at 7:30 p.m. The two teams are strolling into their games after big wins in their previous games.
Cherokee is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They blew past Andrews 47-0 on Friday. The win was some much needed relief for the Braves as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Kingston Welch
| 09/19/25 vs Rosman | 175 |
| 10/24/25 @ Andrews | 162 |
| 08/29/25 vs Tuscola | 123 |
| 10/17/25 @ Swain County | 75 |
| 10/03/25 @ Hayesville | 62 |
| + 2 more games |
Cherokee can attribute much of their success to Kingston Welch, who rushed for 162 yards and three scores on only 11 carries, and Jonathan Saylor, who rushed for 78 yards and three TDs on only six carries. The Braves are 2-1 when Welch posts 80 or more rushing yards, but 1-5 otherwise.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: Cherokee was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 313 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've posted since back in September of 2024.
Cherokee didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Javan Garcia and Tsu-La Howlingcrane.
Meanwhile, Robbinsville never let their opponents score last Friday. They simply couldn't be stopped as they easily beat Rosman 61-0. The Black Knights have beaten the Tigers the last eight times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Tigers has come to flipping the script.
Cherokee better focus on containing Luke Lovin and Elijah Kirkland as the pair were huge in Robbinsville's win. Lovin threw for 66 yards and three touchdowns on only six passes, while Kirkland rushed for 94 yards and one TD on only five carries. Kirkland got the majority of those rushing yards when he took off on a run that went for an incredible 57 yards.
Special teams played a big role in the game for Robbinsville, adding 13 points to the final score. The biggest highlight from special teams (and perhaps the team as a whole) came courtesy of Eli Lambert, who ran a punt back for a touchdown.
Cherokee's victory bumped their record up to 3-6. As for Robbinsville, their win bumped their record up to 6-3.
Friday's matchup might be decided on the ground. Cherokee has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 158.7 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Robbinsville struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 215.1 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's contest turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Cherokee was taken down by Robbinsville 46-16 in their previous matchup back in October of 2024. Thankfully for the Braves, Cooper Adams (who rushed for 144 yards and a pair of scores on only 11 carries) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.
