Carolina Gridiron: JUCO

Saturday, December 7, 2024

Louisburg to Battle For JUCO National Championship

GLEN ELLYN, IL – The stage is set for an epic showdown in the 2024 NJCAA Division III Football National Championship, as the DuPage Chaparrals and Louisburg Hurricanes prepare to clash at Bjarne Ullsvik Stadium this Saturday at 1:00 PM, with ESPN+ broadcasting the highly anticipated matchup.

The Chaparrals enter the championship as the nation's most dominant offensive powerhouse, maintaining their preseason No. 1 ranking throughout the 2024 season with a stellar 10-1 record. Their lone defeat came in a hard-fought 35-30 battle against Division I Iowa Central, a testament to their competitive spirit.

Quarterback Justin Bland stands as the offensive maestro, leading the nation in multiple passing categories. With 173 completions, 2,934 yards, and an impressive 36 touchdowns, Bland has been nothing short of spectacular. His top targets include wide receiver Clayton Bone, who has been a game-changing threat with 38 catches, 743 yards, and 11 touchdowns.

The ground game is equally formidable, with running backs Jamareon Dale and Ernest Temple creating a dynamic duo that has terrorized defenses nationwide. Dale, in particular, leads the country in rushing touchdowns and ranks in the top 5 across multiple rushing categories.

On the defensive side, freshman linebacker Michael Tringali has emerged as a crucial playmaker, recording 57 total tackles and anchoring the Chaparrals' defensive unit.

The Louisburg Hurricanes arrive as championship newcomers, but certainly not underdogs. Sporting an impressive 8-2 record, their only losses came against ranked Division I opponents Lackawanna and Georgia Military. The Hurricanes boast the nation's second-best scoring offense, averaging 35.8 points per game and totaling 3,694 offensive yards.

Quarterback Dylan Trevillian has been a model of efficiency, throwing for 1,892 yards and 18 touchdowns while maintaining a 60.1% completion rate and minimizing interceptions. The defensive unit is led by linebacker Letraskey Pressley, a true game-changer with 50 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and a nation-leading 4 fumble recoveries.

Defensive end Keaton Braddock provides additional defensive firepower, contributing 7.5 sacks and a fumble return touchdown that highlights the Hurricanes' disruptive potential.

This championship game promises to be a clash of offensive titans, with both teams bringing extraordinary talent and a hunger for victory to the field.

Watch: http://tiny.cc/n3szzz

Louisburg to Battle For JUCO National Championship

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Louisburg Hurricanes: Small College, Big Dreams

Justin Jones 9:39 PM

LOUISBURG – In the heart of Franklin County, North Carolina, the state's only junior college football program is making waves. The Louisburg College Hurricanes, under the leadership of Head Coach Quinderra Spellman, have stormed through their 2024 season with an impressive 8-2 record, potentially setting themselves up for a shot at the national championship.

The Hurricanes' journey this season has been nothing short of remarkable, powered by a dynamic offense that consistently found ways to move the chains. Quarterback Dylan Trevillian emerged as the team's offensive catalyst, completing 60.1% of his passes for 1,892 yards and 18 touchdowns. His ability to distribute the ball effectively showed in the receiving corps, where four different players recorded over 200 receiving yards, led by Jeffrey McDonald's 343 yards on just 18 catches.

But what truly set Louisburg apart was their balanced attack. While Trevillian controlled the air, a committee of running backs dominated the ground game. The Hurricanes showcased their depth with six different players rushing for over 100 yards on the season. Mekiaun Davis led the charge with 268 yards, while Evan Garrett proved to be the most efficient, averaging an impressive 7.2 yards per carry.

The season kicked off with a statement win, as the Hurricanes shut out the Georgia Warhawks 30-0. Their only stumbles came against powerhouse programs Lackawanna College and Georgia Military College, but even in defeat, the team showed resilience. Perhaps their most impressive victory came in a shootout against Myrtle Beach Collegiate, where the offense exploded for 66 points and 582 total yards.

Defensively, the Hurricanes were equally impressive, led by Letraskey Pressley's dominant presence. Pressley racked up 11.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, anchoring a defense that consistently pressured opposing quarterbacks and created turnovers.

Now, as the team eyes a potential national championship berth, Coach Spellman has launched the "Drive to the End Zone" fundraising campaign to support his student-athletes. "I want to do everything possible to help our players reach their full potential, not only as student-athletes but as young men," says Spellman. The campaign includes a creative incentive: donors who contribute $50 or more will be entered into a drawing for a five-night stay at a beach home in Oak Island, NC.

For this small college in eastern North Carolina, the 2024 season has been about more than just wins and losses. It's been about building a program that develops young talent, creates opportunities, and brings the community together. As the Hurricanes await word on their postseason fate, one thing is certain: football at Louisburg College is on the rise, and the future looks brighter than ever.