From the first play of Friday’s 2009 season-opener in Graham County, the Avery Vikings found themselves in an uphill climb against a talented Robbinsville Knights team. The Knights took a 14-0 lead only 89 seconds into the contest and used a strong rushing attack to hand Avery a 41-14 defeat in an abbreviated three quarters of action at Big Oaks Stadium.Avery received the opening kickoff, but disaster struck on the first play from scrimmage, as Viking quarterback Alex Villanueva’s pass attempt was intercepted by linebacker Kurt Odom and returned 49 yards for a Robbinsville score. The PAT missed but Robbinsville led 6-0.
The Viking offense was held to three and out on its second possession, but Avery punter Dylan Aldridge was unable to avoid a swarm of Knights defenders as he attempted to kick and was tackled at the Avery 21 yard line.
Avery felt the loss of starting defensive end Colton Blackburn, who missed Friday’s game due to a groin injury. Robbinsville wasted no time in marching to the end zone for a second time, as quarterback Blake Anderson scurried 16 yards to paydirt. A two-point conversion run by Randy Hernandez spotted the Knights a 14-0 lead at the 10:31 mark of the first quarter.
Down but not out, the young Avery ballclub regrouped for its strongest offensive drive of the night, marching 76 yards on 11 plays, capped by a two-yard touchdown sneak on fourth and goal by Villanueva. The PAT was blocked but the Avery deficit was closed to 14-6.
Even without injured starting quarterback Luke Perkins, Robbinsville’s offense continued to display quick-strike ability. Kurt Odom struck for his second touchdown of the game as he dashed 49 yards through the Viking defense. The two-point conversion was good and the Knights found themselves ahead 22-6 at the 3:30 mark of the opening period.
In need of momentum, Avery looked to go three-and-out, but a roughing the passer penalty gave Avery a first down near midfield. A connection from Villanueva to wide receiver Samson Jennings moved the chains inside the Knights 40, but the drive stalled and Avery turned the ball over on downs following a fourth down incompletion.As the second quarter began the Knights continued to utilize the running game. A 62-yard scoring drive was completed when Odom scored for a third time, this time a three-yard jaunt to spot Robbinsville a 28-6 lead.
Villanueva tossed a second interception on Avery’s next drive, but Avery defensive back Trent Mitchell picked off Knights QB Anderson on the next play from scrimmage to get the ball back for the Vikings. Avery was pinned deep in its own territory thanks to a pair of penalties, but made it up in a flash when Villanueva hit an open wide receiver Andy Gonzalez down the Avery sideline for a 95-yard touchdown strike. The two-point conversion run was successful to narrow the gap to 28-14 with 9:37 left before halftime.
On its ensuing possession, Robbinsville drove 68 yards on seven plays (all rushes) that ate up just under three minutes of the clock, capping the drive with a Taylor Wachacha three-yard blast across the goal line. The PAT was successful, giving Robbinsville the 35-14 that was carried into halftime.
As the third quarter began Robbinsville put the exclamation point on the contest with a five-play drive finished by Odom who scampered for a 47 yard touchdown and a 41-14 advantage.
Avery drove the ball near midfield with its ensuing possession, but the Knights defense remained stern and forced a punt. Robbinsville then held possession of the football for over five minutes, but were unable to get inside the Avery 30 yard line. A failed fourth down play gave the Vikings possession of the ball with under a minute remaining. The quarter ended with Avery facing a third down and one yard to go inside Robbinsville territory.
Between quarters officials witnessed lightning in the vicinity and instructed players and coaches to clear the field. After a lengthy lightning delay, the teams agreed to call the game as final and shook hands.
“I felt like we pass blocked well and that there were a lot of positives coming out of Friday. We took a young group of players, and I felt like we won the third quarter after we straightened out an alignment on defense and looked fresher than they were,” Avery head coach Darrell Brewer said after the game. “After the first two scores to begin the game, our kids had every opportunity to hang their heads and say “here we go again”, but they didn’t, and that’s why I left Robbinsville feeling good about our team.”
Avery quarterback Alex Villanueva was 14 of 32 for 239 yards and a touchdown. Kurt Odom led Robbinsville with 178 yards rushing and four touchdowns overall (three rushing).
“Alex impressed me with his toughness. He took a couple of good shots and gave a pretty good one after throwing an interception,” Coach Brewer added. “He made some mistakes, but he also made some great decisions too. I think the more he plays the more good decisions he’ll make, and I’m tickled to death with his performance.”
An abbreviated game was a first for the Vikings in recent memory, and the weather posed a difficult scenario when the coaching staff had to evaluate.
“I hated that we weren’t able to finish the game, but after having to wait as long as we did with the lightning strikes, we had to consider the players and how they weren’t warmed up,” Coach Brewer added. “I’ve never had to deal with that before, but I felt we were starting to come together and build momentum when the game was called. Nevertheless we came away healthy from the game, which was different from last year’s game.”
Avery goes back on the road to Miller’s Creek this week when they battle West Wilkes, who lost 24-20 to West Lincoln last week. A full recap of the West game can be found in next week’s edition of the Journal-Times, as well as here on the Blog.
