Robinson Knights
6-1 (5-1)
The 2010 Robinson Knights finished 10-3, earning a postseason berth as the runner-up in the their district. That team saw 22 seniors graduate, 18 of which were starters. A big blow – one that you could see forcing the squad back a year or two for recovery.
“Kids have stepped up and really played well,” Knights’ Head Coach Mike Depue explained.
Robinson returned only two starters for the 2010 season, but the veteran coaching staff (that has deep ties to the school) laid a foundation for success last year.
“A bunch of these kids that are starting now were backups and got some significant playing time last year,” Depue explained. “We laid a foundation by those kids getting some playing time last year.”
Just a few years ago Depue’s black and white Knights struggled posting a 1-9 record in 2007, followed by a 2-8 finish in 2008. That successful 2010 senior class was around. They saw the struggles of the Knights.
“It’s all about player development,” Depue said. “You gotta remember, when we were 2-8 a lot of those kids were freshmen and sophomores; they were kind of trial by fire.”
Robinson opened the season against the Jefferson Dragons and won, with an exclamation point. The Knights toppled the defending state champions 38-18.
“That win was huge,” Depue said. “It set the tone for us as a very young.”
It hasn’t been easy for the Knights though. They have faced some adversity. Following a 21-7 district loss to Jesuit, Depue had to cut loose Robinson’s starting quarterback.
“We’ve been saying that since the Jesuit game to our guys that we have six district game in a row and we got to win them all to make the playoffs,” Depue said. “We need to be 7-1 in our district to make the playoffs because we obviously lost to Jesuit early on.”
The team has responded well. Robinson was won four-straight and is averaging better than 40 points per game. The Knights will have one of their biggest tests of the year when they host Lakewood this week. With both teams having lost to Jesuit, it is a must win for both sides.
“It was kind of funny,” Depue explained. “The kids from Lakewood were going through the line saying we’ll see you in a few weeks talking to Jesuit. That’s the same thing our kids said to their team, ‘you know we’ll see you in the playoffs.’ Both teams expect to be in the playoffs so this is going to be a pretty interesting ball game.”
Don’t expect the Knights to alter their game plan. Coach Depue explained that Robinson has big play ability, but it will likely stick to its running game, which is averaging nearly 200 yards per game, and look to set up the pass. Four Knights are averaging more than six yards per carry.
For Depue, he is happy to see that Robinson’s tradition is shining bright.
“Sometimes a little kid will come by on a bicycle and tell you ‘coach I’ll be there in two years,’” Depue said with joy. “It’s not like other neighborhoods where kids are looking to go to other places; in South Tampa you got kids that want to come to Robinson and wear the black and white. There’s a tradition here going back to the 60’s and 70’s.”