Franklin & Marshall running back Louis Paris.
Franklin & Marshall running back Louis Paris.
Franklin & Marshall running back Louis Paris.
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Franklin & Marshall running back Louis Paris.
Louis Paris patiently waited to get healthy, then made a powerful impact in his first fall as a collegiate football player.
After a torn ACL in the PIAA playoffs ended his senior season at Scranton Prep in 2024, the rugged leader had reconstructive surgery and months of rehabilitation to prepare for summer camp at Franklin & Marshall College.
The former Times-Tribune Offensive Player of the Year started his collegiate career by competing for time at quarterback. Then, once cleared for full contact, the coaching staff approached Paris about changing positions to running back. The consummate team player, he agreed and has made valuable contributions to the Diplomats.
Last weekend, with a Centennial Conference championship weighing in the balance, Paris caught the game-winning 2-point conversion pass from quarterback Ty Tremba that lifted Franklin & Marshall to a 29-28 win over Johns Hopkins that punched the team’s ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time.
Franklin & Marshall (9-1 overall, 7-0 Centennial) received a bye in the 40-team field and will host Eastern University (9-1 overall, 8-1 in MAC) on Nov. 29 at noon at Shadek Stadium.
Paris leads the Diplomats in rushing with 447 yards on 108 carries with three touchdowns.
“It’s just been awesome,” Paris said. “I had a great group of guys around me here, just like it was in high school at Prep. We had phenomenal leadership. When I cleared in Week 3, it had been a crazy run. We are in the history books, and it’s just incredible to be a part of.”
During his high school career, Paris was a winner.
He took over as quarterback midway through his sophomore season and guided the Cavaliers to a 31-5 record and three District 2 Class 3A championships. The burly 5-foot-11, 220-pounder finished his career with 2,561 yards rushing and 45 touchdowns and 3,599 yards passing with 39 touchdowns.
He also saw success as a wrestler, earning a spot on The Times-Tribune All-Region Wrestling Team as a junior with a 34-12 record and a berth in states.
However, his high school sports career ended with the torn ACL suffered in Scranton Prep’s 34-0 loss to Northwestern Lehigh in the PIAA Class 3A quarterfinals last season.
Later it was learned that teammate Will McPartland also sustained a torn ACL in the same game.
With his injury requiring surgery and a lengthy recovery, he and McPartland worked together, just as they had as teammates for the Cavaliers. It paid off, but the timeline cut into the start of the new season for both athletes.
“It was kind of weird showing up for camp and not being cleared,” Paris said. “I was still playing quarterback and learning that position. I credit Matt Scalese and Northeast Rehab, and Will McPartland, who is having a phenomenal season this year. I can’t thank them enough for getting me healthy enough to play. It was a long journey, with a lot of hours, and they were constantly pushing me when I didn’t want to work out. It is all paying off now.”
While awaiting the “all-go” from doctors, Paris worked on learning and getting reps at quarterback. The plan changed, and with an eagerness to get onto the field, he made the switch to running back.
Paris made his F&M debut Sept. 20, getting one carry in a 42-7 win over Catholic. Following a bye week, he had seven carries for 23 yards in a 35-28 win over Gettysburg.
Then, in back-to-back wins over Muhlenberg and Dickinson, he rushed for 57 yards on 16 carries and 73 yards on 14 carries, respectively.
He followed that up with consecutive 100-yard games — 130 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns in a win over Ursinus, and 114 yards on 28 carries in a 24-3 win over McDaniel.
“When they approached me, I said, ‘Of course,’ and I put my head down and learned all that it takes to play running back,” Paris, 19, said. “It was a quick adjustment. I just tried to go out, play hard, and help us win games.
“It is a grind. Everyone plays football in college because they want to do it. Everybody is putting their best effort every single day. Everyone is invested.”
Paris has driven a challenging road and is appreciating his opportunity. He is ready to help his team to a championship and postseason berth.
“I am extremely excited,” Paris said. “We have a bye this week, and I am trying to get my body right. I am going to go out there and leave it all on the field.”