High School Football: 7 TDs from Na’Ledge Wright help Robinson upset No. 13 Hickory Ridge

J.M. Robinson’s first year head coach Jason Seidel has arrived with a bang — a 48-41 upset win over No. 13 Hickory Ridge on the first Friday of high school football season.

It was a back-and-forth affair which seemed like it could have gone either way at times, but the Bulldogs held their own.

With five seconds remaining, J.M. Robinson’s defense waited as Hickory Ridge set up on the Bulldogs’ 24-yard line. Quarterback Caden Haywood took the snap, spun quickly from the immediate pressure, and dumped the ball off to running back Connor Schulman on the right sideline. As Shulman turned up the field, he was met by the defense and pushed out of bounds, ending the game.

“It was a super fun first game of the year,” Seidel said. “It’s gonna be hard to beat this game. I’m proud of the kids and the coaches.”

Leading the way for the Bulldogs was senior running back Na’Ledge Wright, who scored every touchdown for his team.

Quarterback Isaac Lee led the Bulldogs behind an outstanding effort from the offensive line that allowed Wright to be so prolific.

“With the support of my team, I feel like I can do anything,” Wright said. “We set the tone. We’re in 3A, I think it’s time to turn it up a notch.”

Three Who Made a Difference

Na’Ledge Wright, J.M. Robinson: The senior running back had an exceptional night, scoring seven touchdowns and rushing for 276 yards. He was the cog that kept the Bulldogs’ engine running, literally and figuratively. It was the third-most rushing touchdowns ever scored by an NCHSAA public school athlete, and set a Cabarrus County record.

Braylon Canales, J.M. Robinson: Wright wouldn’t have had such a successful night without the help of the brick wall in front of him, spearheaded by senior captain Canales at center. Canales helped open up several holes for Wright, keeping the Hickory Ridge defense at bay when it was most needed.

Caden Haywood, Hickory Ridge: Despite the loss, Haywood remained a leader at the helm of Hickory Ridge’s offense. He passed for five touchdowns, including 38-yard and 46-yard scores.

Worth Mentioning

• J.M. Robinson came out of the gates strong, threatening early by scoring 21 points early in the first half before Hickory Ridge surged back before halftime.
• Two sacks from J.M. Robinson’s defense couldn’t stifle the Hickory Ridge offense on a game-tying drive late in the 4th quarter, where the Raging Bulls equalized at 41 points.
  
  

Scoring Summary

JMR: 13 14 14 7 – 48

HR: 7 21 7 6 – 41

HR - Shulman 56 rush (Andrew Schmidt kick)

JMR - Wright 2 rush (Mikey Kilzi kick)

JMR - Wright 1 rush (kick blocked)

JMR - Wright 3 rush (2-point conversion failed)

HR - Shulman 3 pass (Schmidt kick)

HR - Shulman 31 pass (Schmidt kick)

JMR - Wright 13 rush (Wright 2-point conversion)

HR - Harris 38 pass (Schmidt kick)

JMR - Wright 40 rush (Kilzi kick)

JMR - Wright 5 rush (Kilzi kick)

HR - Harris 46 pass (Schmidt kick)

HR - Testa 10 pass (Kick blocked_

JMR - Wright 12 rush (Kilzi kick)

Note: The Cabarrus County game of the week is sponsored by Deer Park Water.