Danny Heimrich's story should provide some encouragement to the 11 Pinecrest seniors who committed to play junior college football in California on National Signing Day Wednesday.

An all-conference kicker for Pinecrest in 2007, he recently turned his two-year junior college experience at Louisburg College into a football scholarship at Division II Elizabeth City State University.

Seven of his Louisburg teammates are also taking their games to four-year schools next season.

"I'm hoping they'll all do well," Heimrich said by phone on Friday, referring to the Pinecrest players taking the same path he did. "It's all about grades and how you perform on the field. If you do well on the field and in the classroom, you'll find a place to go."

Heimrich is an exceptional athlete for a kicker. He punted for a 38-yard average last season, ranking 12th in the nation among junior college players. Forty percent of his kicks were downed inside the 20-yard line, and only one was returned all season.

The son of John and Jodi Heimrich of Southern Pines, Danny has a brother, Brett, who is a junior offensive lineman and long snapper for the Patriots.