If you’ve spent any time around Concord lately, you know the vibe. There’s a specific kind of energy that hits the air on Friday nights, usually centered right around the campus of Jay M. Robinson High School. Honestly, it hasn't always been like this. For years, the Bulldogs were just another team in the mix, but something shifted recently. Now, Jay M. Robinson football is basically a buzzword for "don't want to see them on your schedule."
What's wild is how fast they’ve climbed. We aren't just talking about a lucky season or two. This is a sustained, calculated rise that has turned the South Piedmont conference upside down.
The Jason Seidel Era: Changing the DNA
Success in high school ball usually starts at the top, and Jason Seidel has his fingerprints all over this program. Before he took over, the Bulldogs had their moments, but they lacked that "it" factor—that feeling of inevitability when they stepped on the turf.
Seidel brought a different mentality. He didn't just want to win games; he wanted to build a machine. You can see it in the way the 2025 season unfolded. They didn't just beat people; they dismantled them. By the time they reached the NCHSAA playoffs in late 2025, they were sitting on a massive winning streak that had the entire state taking notice.
The stats tell part of the story, but the film tells the rest. They play fast. They play mean. And they don't beat themselves. That’s a hallmark of a Seidel-coached team. He’s managed to take local talent and mold it into a system that looks more like a small college program than a typical 3A or 4A high school squad.
The Playmakers Who Make It Go
You can have the best coaching in the world, but if you don't have the "horses," you're stuck in the mud. Luckily for the Bulldogs, their current roster is absolutely loaded.
Take a look at Aury Greenfield. The kid is a dual-threat nightmare. In 2025, he wasn't just managing games; he was taking them over. Whether he’s tucking the ball to run or finding a target like Londyn McElroy downfield, he’s the engine of that offense. Having a quarterback who can stress a defense in two different ways is a cheat code at the high school level.
🔗 Read more: Why Funny Fantasy Football Names Actually Win Leagues
Then you’ve got LJ Watson in the backfield. Talk about a workhorse. Watson averaged nearly 100 yards per game during the 2025 campaign, often bruising his way through the middle of the line to set up those explosive play-action passes.
On the other side of the ball, it's just as scary. Isaiah Woodburn is a name you’re going to hear a lot more often. As a sophomore linebacker, he was already leading the team in tackles and sacks. Imagine being an opposing offensive coordinator and trying to scheme against a guy who lives in your backfield and is only getting bigger and faster every month.
What Really Happened in the 2025 Playoffs?
The 2025 season was a rollercoaster, but mostly the kind where you're just going up. They ripped through the South Piedmont 4A/5A conference, finishing a perfect 7-0 in league play. That’s no small feat when you’re dealing with the depth of talent in Cabarrus County.
Everything seemed to be heading toward a collision course with a state title. They handled North Davidson and Oak Grove in the early rounds of the playoffs, showing a level of poise that you usually only see in veteran teams. But then came the Hickory game.
Hickory has been a powerhouse, and that matchup on November 28, 2025, was one for the books. It was a 36-29 heartbreaker. While the Bulldogs fell just short of the ultimate goal, that game proved they belong in the conversation with the elite programs in North Carolina. They aren't "up and coming" anymore. They are here.
Comparing 2024 and 2025: A Trajectory of Success
If you look at the 2024 season, they were already elite, finishing 12-1. Most schools would have a massive "hangover" after a season like that, especially after losing senior leaders like Jon Bissonnette and Brian Rowe.
💡 You might also like: Heisman Trophy Nominees 2024: The Year the System Almost Broke
Instead, the 2025 team just reloaded.
- 2024 Record: 12-1 (Conference Champs)
- 2025 Record: 11-2 (Conference Champs)
- State Ranking: Jumped as high as the top 25 in NC during the peak of the season.
The consistency is what's terrifying for the rest of the conference. They aren't relying on a single "generational" class. They have a pipeline.
The Cultural Impact in Concord
It’s not just about the wins and losses, though. Go to a home game and you’ll see the entire community wrapped around the fence. Jay M. Robinson football has become a rallying point for the school.
It's sorta funny because people used to think of Robinson as just a "basketball school" after that 2016 state title run. And hey, the basketball team is still great. But the football team has successfully demanded its own share of the spotlight.
The players are visible. They’re active in the community. You see the younger kids in the local Pop Warner leagues wearing Bulldogs gear, dreaming of the day they get to run out of that tunnel. That’s how you build a legacy. It’s not just about four quarters on a Friday; it’s about the culture you build the other six days of the week.
The Road Ahead: What to Expect Next
So, where does the program go from here?
📖 Related: When Was the MLS Founded? The Chaotic Truth About American Soccer's Rebirth
The graduation of some key seniors will hurt, sure. That’s the nature of high school sports. But with guys like Aury Greenfield and Isaiah Woodburn coming back with another year of experience, the floor for this team is still incredibly high.
They’ve established themselves as the team to beat in the South Piedmont. Every time they step on the field, they’re going to get the opponent's best shot. That's the price of success.
If you're a fan or a scout, keep an eye on the JV results too. In 2025, the JV Bulldogs were undefeated, shutting out opponents like Concord and West Rowan. That tells you everything you need to know about the talent waiting in the wings.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Recruits
If you’re trying to keep up with the team or perhaps looking at the program as a prospective player, here’s the reality:
- Watch the Trenches: The Bulldogs win because of their offensive and defensive lines. If you're watching a game, don't just follow the ball. Watch how guys like Aiden Black and Landen Harding control the line of scrimmage. That's the secret sauce.
- Stay Updated via Official Channels: MaxPreps and the NFHS Network are your best friends for live scores and replays. Don't rely on word-of-mouth; the stats for this team are updated religiously.
- Expect Competition: If you're a player wanting to join the ranks, know that the bar is high. This is a "no days off" kind of program under Seidel.
- Community Support Matters: The Bulldogs play better when the "Dog House" is loud. If you're in Concord, getting to a game is the best way to understand the hype.
Jay M. Robinson football has evolved from a local team into a regional powerhouse. They’ve proven that with the right coaching and a dedicated group of athletes, you can change the narrative of a program in just a few short years. Whether they're hoisting a state trophy next year or not, one thing is certain: nobody is overlooking the Bulldogs anymore.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close watch on the spring practice schedules and the early-season non-conference matchups. Those games against teams like West Cabarrus and Myers Park usually set the tone for the entire year. The Bulldogs have shown they aren't afraid of the big stage, and that's exactly why they've become one of the most exciting stories in North Carolina high school sports.