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
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