Robbinsville is 8-2 against Cherokee since October of 2017 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Friday. The Black Knights will venture away from home to square off against the Braves at 7:30 p.m. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
As a matter of fact, Robbinsville put up the most points they have all season 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.
Luke Lovin
| 10/17/25 @ Rosman | 43 |
| 10/10/25 @ Murphy | 23 |
| 10/03/25 vs Swain County | 14 |
| 09/26/25 vs Andrews | 34 |
| 09/19/25 vs Hayesville | 21 |
| + 3 more games |
Robbinsville relied on the efforts of Luke Lovin, who threw for 66 yards and three touchdowns on only six passes, and Elijah Kirkland, who rushed for 94 yards and one score on only five carries. What's more, Lovin racked up 43 rushing yards, the most he's had since back in August.
Robbinsville's run defense was locked in: Rosman could only muster 2.8 yards per carry. The team can thank John Dominguez for the heroic effort on defense: he. Robbinsville is a perfect 4-0 when they shut down the run game so well.
Special teams also 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.
Meanwhile, a well-balanced attack led Cherokee over Andrews in every quarter on their way to victory on Friday. Given that consistent dominance, it should come as no surprise that the Braves blew the Wildcats out of the water with a 47-0 final score. That looming 47-0 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Braves yet this season.
Robbinsville better focus on containing Kingston Welch and Jonathan Saylor as the pair were huge in Cherokee's win. Welch rushed for 162 yards and three TDs on only 11 carries, while Saylor rushed for 78 yards and three scores on only six carries. Cherokee is 2-1 when Welch posts 80 or more rushing yards, but 1-5 otherwise.
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.
Cherokee picked up their first road win, bumping their record up to 3-6. As for Robbinsville, they picked up their first road victory, bumping their record up to 6-3.
Friday's matchup might be decided on the ground. Robbinsville has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 215.1 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Cherokee struggles in that department as they've been averaging 158.7 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's game turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Everything came up roses for Robbinsville against Cherokee in their previous meeting back in October of 2024, as the team secured a 46-16 win. In that contest, the Black Knights amassed a halftime lead of 33-8, an impressive feat they'll look to repeat on Friday.
