Evan Gerike, Asheville Citizen TimesSat, November 29, 2025 at 4:14 AM UTC·2 min readROBBINSVILLE – On the first play out of the halftime break, Robbinsville football lined up in victory formation.
Though the No. 1 Black Knights (10-3) had already sewed up their 41-7 victory over No. 2 South Davidson with a running clock in the second half, this was not to run out the game.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis was to get the Black Knights’ 11 seniors to take the field for one last play in Big Oaks Stadium, one last memory as a group before advancing to the 18th 1A state championship game in program history.
“It was all brotherhood,” senior lineman John Dominguez said. “Man, it was emotional. My last time on this field.”
Robbinsville will play the 1A East champion, Wilson Prep, for a state championship in two weeks. The time, date and location have yet to be determined by the NCHSAA.
The Black Knights have dominated their competition in the playoffs, reaching a running clock in all three victories. Against the Wildcats (11-2), the story on the scoreboard was no different.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn the field, this win meant extra.
The seniors had to learn to be the focal point of the team, Robbinsville coach Lucas Ford said. They played small roles on the 2023 regional finalist team, then stepped into bigger positions in 2024, but the team lost its way in the locker room in a 7-7 season.
“They had never been the guys to have to be the guy,” Ford said. “They’d always been the guy that followed up the man. … They were ready to be the man.”
When Ford stepped in as head coach in 2025, following the retirement of longtime coach Dee Walsh, there was a lot to figure out. With Robbinsville expected to win the 1A West from the jump, it added to the pressure.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFord said the team turned out to be way more talented than anyone expected, largely on the back of those seniors. Kyzik Teesateskie, who played center last season, has nearly 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns at running back. Isiac Collins, who switched from tight end to fullback, added over 700 yards.
“It feels like I’m playing with my brothers every day,” senior quarterback Luke Lovin said. “You spend more time together than with your own family. It clicks for us.”
After putting the pieces together every Friday night throughout the year, Robbinsville is coming together at the right time. Lovin passed for three touchdowns. Teesateskie had 91 rushing yards and two touchdowns, plus two catches for 25 yards and a touchdown.
The Black Knights, and their 11 seniors, took care of business. Now comes a chance to add to the legacy.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“That was the perfect sendoff for them,” Ford said. “Winning at home in your last game at Big Oaks? Punching your ticket to the state championship? Doesn’t get much sweeter than that.”
Evan Gerike is the high school sports reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @EvanGerike.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: How Robbinsville football won NCHSAA Western Regional final
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