Louisburg College moved into the junior college rankings following its latest victory on Sunday.
The Hurricanes, playing their home opener one day after a real tropical storm blew through North Carolina, rallied to beat Jireh Prep 28-20.
The victory improved the ‘Canes to 2-1 overall, enough to get the attention of pollsters who compile the NJCAA Division III weekly rankings. Louisburg enters the poll at No. 5.
Louisburg gave up two touchdowns in the first quarter but tacked on two touchdowns and two field goals to grab a 20-14 halftime lead. The Hurricanes added a fourth-quarter TD and two-point conversion to keep Jireh Prep (from Matthews) at bay.
Christian Franklin rushed for a team-high 77 yards for Louisburg, scoring a touchdown and averaging 9.6 yards per carry. Marriyon Rogers added another 50 yards on 10 totes.
Jeiel Melton returned a kickoff for a touchdown and had 130 yards on two kick returns.
Reid Herring made two catches covering 51 yards. Brandon Wright had a 21-yard catch and four grabs for 35 total yards.
Noah Abbot booted two field goals (with a long of 37 yards) and two extra points. Franklin also handled punting duties, recording four kicks for an average of 40.5 yards (with a long of 55).
Malachi Grier had five tackles and recovered a fumble. Brandon Perry also had five stops and five pass break-ups. Daniel Bennett recorded two sacks. Nizail Robinson finished with four tackles and 1.5 tackles-for-loss.
Louisburg is in a unique position as the only junior college football program in North Carolina. The Hurricanes also are the only JUCO team in NJCAA Region X, which encompasses both the Carolinas, Virginia and southern West Virginia.
NJCAA Division III includes six independents (of which Louisburg is one) from along the Eastern seaboard and seven schools in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference. Division III schools do not give out athletic aid, where as schools that compete in NJCAA Division I and Division II do.
Louisburg will host Maryland Prep on Saturday at 1 p.m. and then will face Georgia Military on Oct. 7 at Brookland-Cayce High School in South Carolina.
