Louisburg College has inside track to national championship game

Louisburg College may be playing for a national junior college football championship in December.

The Hurricanes currently sit in the No. 2 spot in the latest NJCAA Division III football poll, released earlier this week. The top two ranked teams at the end of the regular season will vie for the JUCO non-scholarship division championship, known as the Red Grange Bowl.

The title game is set for Saturday, Dec. 7 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois – home of the College of DuPage (9-1), the current No. 1 team in the rankings.

Louisburg (8-2) had been tied for the No. 2 spot in last week’s poll with North Dakota State College of Science (9-1). The ‘Canes took over sole possession of No 2 this week, bumping NDSCS to third. Hudson Valley Community College (8-2) and Erie Community College (6-4) round out the top five.

The final NJCAA rankings will be released the week of Nov. 24 after DuPage’s final game on the 23rd. Since Louisburg has no games remaining, the match-up is tentatively set, with a kickoff at noon Central time.

The Red Grange Bowl has been recognized as the NJCAA Division III championship game since 2021. College of DuPage has won the past three games, defeating Nassau Community College in 2021, North Dakota State College of Science in 2022 and Rochester Community College a year ago.

The Hurricanes ended their regular season on a four-game win streak, beating Nassau 23-6 on Nov. 2 in their finale. The streak also included wins over Myrtle Beach Collegiate 66-19, Palmetto College 50-9 and Brevard JV 60-0 before the Nassau win.

Louisburg has played College of DuPage twice, falling to the Chaparrals 21-12 in 2019 and winning 47-9 in 2018. Both of those games were played on a neutral field at Morehead State in Kentucky.

The 2024 Hurricanes average 35.8 points per game, while allowing just 16.5. The ‘Canes are outgaining foes by a 369.4 yards-per-game average to 112.5.

Sophomore Dylan Trevillian is the primary quarterback. He has completed 128-of-213 passes for 1,892 yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions. He has rushed for another 128 yards and three scores.

Louisburg spreads the wealth in the passing game and run game.

The leading receivers are freshman Jabari Rone (27 catches, 327 yards, 5 TDs), sophomore Jeffrey McDonald (18 catches, 343 yards, 1 TD), freshman Rashid Jones (17 catches, 251 yards, 4 TDs) and freshman Quran Miller (17 catches, 322 yards, 2 TDs).

Ten different rushers have scored at least one touchdown, led by freshmen Qwauhtez Harley and Josue Riley, with four each. Freshman Mekiaun Davis (268 yards), redshirt sophomore Glenwood Robinson (265), freshman Da’Nija Scott (250), freshman Evan Garrett (230) and freshman Jameson Prince (218) pace a balanced rushing stat sheet.

Freshman Jesse Veins handles the kicking duties, converting 6-of-11 field goals and 42-of-47 extra points. Freshman Xavier Chambers has been the primary punter, averaging 35.6 yards per kick.

Letraskey Pressley, a freshman, has had a monstrous defensive season. He leads the Hurricanes in tackles (50), sacks (11.5) and tackles-for-loss (10). He’s recovered four fumbles and intercepted a pass. 

Redshirt freshman Jaden Perkins has 38 tackles. Freshman Jah’keevi Garnett has nine tackles-for-loss, six sacks and an interception. Joanue Morten-Berry has three picks. In the season finale, Tycorien Gist returned a kickoff 106 yards for a touchdown.

As a team, Louisburg has intercepted 18 passes and recovered 16 fumbles – both first in NJCAA Division III. The team’s 70 sacks and six defensive touchdowns as rank No. 1 in the nation. 

Louisburg is coached by Quinderra Spellman. The Hurricanes are the only junior college football program in the state and boast the only gridiron program in Region X, which encompasses North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. 
Louisburg is one of four college teams in North Carolina with eight wins right now. The Hurricanes are ranked No. 3 in our latest NC Football News All-North Carolina Fabulous 15 rankings.