In the final few minutes of Friday night’s matchup against Blake, underclassmen on the Robinson sideline started chanting the team’s motto, “Three more feet” as loud as they could. After Blake scored a go-ahead touchdown with 89 seconds left in the game, the Knights were just a few feet away from a  victory; the game came down to one play. A short run into the end zone gave the Knights the 28-25 comeback win against the Yellow Jackets.

In 2012, the Knights lost 24-20 to Godby in the FHSAA 5A State Semifinal game. They were one yard away from the winning touchdown. When Craig Everhart, who was an assistant coach in 2012, took over the head coaching position this past season, he was determined to get back to that spot and gain those three more feet. That was evident on Friday, when the Knights quickly recovered from a defensive lull to beat Blake in the district matchup and Robinson Homecoming game.

With just 24 seconds left in the fourth quarter, running back Lateef Al-Shaa’ir (’20) ran the ball into the end zone, giving the Knights the comeback win.

“I trusted in the play, and I knew I had the ability and the coaches had the ability,” Al-Shaa’ir told the Tampa Bay Times. “I knew I was going to get into the end zone.”

The game started with two intense Yellow Jacket offensive drives, putting Blake up 13-0 in the first quarter.

Robinson quarterback Kobe Copple (’19) found Lothario Overstreet (’19) for a big touchdown early in the second quarter, putting the Knights on the board and sparking the momentum.

Big consecutive runs from Copple, who rushed for a total of 72 yards on Friday, gave the Knights the 14-13 lead heading into half time. Overstreet led the team with 61 passing yards.

Blake and Robinson had their share of well-matched drives, but ultimately an incomplete try for two cost Blake the game when they tried to tie it up at the end of the third quarter.

“This is the goal, to win the close ones, and I’m very, very proud of them.” Head coach Craig Everhart said.

The Knights have a by week this Friday, but play Brandon next Friday, October 5, at Brandon High School (1101 Victoria St, Brandon, 33510).