Mitchell will host the Fifth Round

 

By Brandon Stephens

 

(Robbinsville, NC) – – Where the heck has Robbinsville (10-and-3) been hiding its passing game? Talking with most of the reporters on the sideline Friday, it was impressive to see the Black Knights throw and complete passes. Most games we have seen a downhill run game. Exercising Robbinsville Senior Quarterback Dasan Gross on his passes worked well spinning them into gold. The fella that helped was not an imp named Rumpelstiltskin, rather Sophomore Running Back Cutler Adams, who made off better than the imp in the Grimm fairy tale. Like the story, Robbinsville Coaches kept making more demands of the duo to make gold and they did. Cutler Adams did take the Bulldogs jewels and almost their first born.

The Game

This game in the first two possessions looked like it was going to be slow to develop. Both Robbinsville and Murphy defenses were tested and held the opponent well. Robbinsville had the early momentum and did not lose the lead through the entire game. Murphy’s Chandler Wood halted the advancing Black Knights by sacking Quarterback Dasan Gross. Two plays later the Black Knights stopped Murphy. Robbinsville did not waste time after Black Knight Linebacker Dalton Hill intercepted a pass from Murphy Quarterback Kellen Rumfelt. Robbinsville held short field position at the Murphy 27. Three plays later, Dasan Gross completed his first pass, which was for touchdown, to Cutler Adams from 26 yards out. Cody Cline nailed the point after touchdown field goal. Murphy did not have any luck moving the ball until it reached mid-field and Rumfelt was sacked. Robbinsville bled the clock to end the First Quarter Black Knights 7 and Bulldogs 0.

Robbinsville burnt almost half of the Second Quarter time from its 30 yard-line to touchdown town. A couple of run plays were inching the Black Knights until Gross hit Cutler Adams for a pass taking them to the Murphy 39. Another pass to Receiver Brock Adams who moved the ball to the Murphy 25. A series of Cutler Adams and Kage Williams runs creates an opportunity at 6:31 remaining in the half for Adams to run a touchdown. Cline hits the PAT. The passing game begins to heat up for the Murphy Bulldogs. Kellen Rumfelt found receiver Cole Laney three times to eventually take the Bulldogs to the one yard-line. Will Joyner parks the PAT and makes the score Robbinsville 14 Murphy 7 to end the half.

The first half did end with a little drama for the Murphy Bulldogs. With time melting away, Murphy launches a pass to Ty Laney and fumbles as he crosses into Robbinsville territory. Quick thinking and reaction came from Bulldog Running Back Juan Allen, who scooped up the ball and was tackled at the one yard-line and time expired.

The Murphy defense had a tough time stopping the Robbinsville Black Knights in the second half and Bulldogs offense did not have possession of the ball. Starting the Third Quarter Murphy moved a few yards on a run and two passes to the Laney brothers (Ty and Cole). Murphy punted to Robbinsville on fourth down and four yards to go. This set up one of the longest drives of the night. The Black Knights used every combination of plays from passing to Cutler Adams and Brock Adams and few rushes by Kage Williams. With 3:26 left in the Third Quarter, Cutler Adams drove in from the two yard line for 6. Cody Cline had no trouble hitting the PAT. End of the Third Quarter it was Robbinsville 21 and Murphy 7.

Murphy was feeling the heat going into the Fourth Quarter. Robbinsville ran off more time carrying its possession from the Third into the Fourth Quarter. The Black Knights ran off two minutes before a punt was made back to Murphy. The Bulldogs were driving well down to Robbinsville’s 36 yard-line when Black Knight Junior Corner Brock Adams intercepted a Kellen Rumfelt pass. Once again Robbinsville used everything in its arsenal to burn up time and move the ball to the Murphy 2 yard-line. Cutler Adams marched into the end zone for a Robbinsville touchdown, which was the dagger for the game leaving only 3:26 for the Bulldogs to overcome a 14 point deficit after Cline nailed his last PAT. Robbinsville was able to get the ball back for a final Cutler Adams TD with 1:39 to go and a Cline kick. On its next possession with 1:00 to go in the game, Murphy scored once more on a 12-yard keeper by Kellen Rumfelt and a PAT by Will Joyner. Murphy attempted to do an onside kick to Robbinsville which did not produce the results it wanted. Robbinsville kneeled out the remaining time. Final Score Robbinsville 28 Murphy 14.

Postgame

Murphy Bulldogs end the season with a 9-and-5 record. This season was a new beginning for coaches and players. Early on the coaching leadership did a great job to find games when the COVID-19 caused some teams to drop Murphy from its schedule including South Pittsburgh, TN and Life Christian Academy. Coaches kept the Bulldogs playing on Friday night with Rabun County and Cherokee High (Tennessee). After a tough end of the season, Murphy found energy and determination to play tough against Alleghany, Mountain Heritage, and Eastern Randolph, the number one seed in the western regional brackets.

Murphy Head Football Coach Joseph commented after the game, “It’s absolutely a great season. New coaches, new guys, and once we figured it out and found out footing, we started playing pretty well. I’m proud of these kids. These seniors have had an outstanding career. I’m sure they wouldn’t trade their two state championship rings for anything. It’s a tough night when it’s your last game. I feel for these seniors. But it happens. You hope to get as many games as you possibly can get.” For Friday night’s game, it was the typical competition you come to expect. “It’s a hard fought Smoky Mountain Conference football game (Murphy at Robbinsville). It’s two really good football teams. They (Robbinsville) did an outstanding job offensively and defensively. We just didn’t get it done,” Watson Stated added.

Speaking for the 12 seniors, Kellen Rumfelt praised the team for the work it has accomplished this season. “I am proud of all of our guys. Nobody gave us a chance to even be here tonight (Fourth Round of the State 1-A Playoffs). I’m just proud of the way everybody played and the way we responded to adversity at the beginning of the season. I would not trade these guys out here or the time I’ve had as Murphy Quarterback for anything,” Rumfelt stated after the game. Rumfelt believes the Bulldogs have a lot of talent and ability to build a great season for 2022 and is excited to see what happens next fall. What’s next for Kellen? Rumfelt responded saying, “Get ready for baseball and work on my football. We will see where I am after the spring.”

Robbinsville to chase another state title

Mitchell County Mountaineers will be the next opponent for the Robbinsville Black Knights. The Mountaineers are 12-and-2 after battling its way to a 21-to-14 win over Mount Airy. Mitchell County is the Number 3 seed and Robbinsville the number 4 seed, which means a big bus ride to Ledger for this coming Friday night. Mitchell has a powerful quarterback in Junior Ty Turbyfill, who according to published reports has slightly more than 1,000 yards passing and completes almost 60% of his passes. He also leads the team with almost 2,000 yards rushing followed by senior Carter Hoyle with nearly 1,000 yards. We will have more details this week on Team FYN Sports along with a game preview. Stay connected to Team FYN Sports for more details.