SENATOBIA – In a game almost identical to last year's 5-4 outcome in Senatobia, Northwest and visiting Jones County put on an offensive showcase Tuesday afternoon at Ranger Field where the Bobcats again got the better of the host Rangers, 6-5. 

Jones County improved to 1-1 on the year, while Northwest dropped to 1-2.

Jones' Bowen Terrill set the tone with a goal in the 6th minute, somehow getting a flick on after a scramble in front of the net and sneaking it past John Denton for a 1-0 Bobcat lead.

But the scoring was just getting started in the first half, with the teams combining for eight goals in the opening 45 minutes and both defenses on their heels.

Sophomore Nathan Smith's first goal of the year in the 15th minute tied it at one apiece for Northwest, firing a shot past Alan Davidson. Fakhry Khulfan's rocket shot was saved by Davidson, but Smith controlled the rebound in the box and found the equalizer. Khulfan would give Northwest its first lead of the game just 26 seconds later, using an unassisted effort for the 2-1 lead.

Tanner Morris' goal just 49 seconds later at the 15:50 mark tied the game at 2-2 for Jones before Khulfan's second goal of the day again pushed the Rangers back in front, 3-2.

But that's where things went from good to bad for Northwest, with Jones taking control of the match the final 20 minutes of the first half.

Dusty Pittman's back-to-back goals in the 23rd and 40th minute gave Jones its final lead of the game and shifted the momentum in favor of the visitors. Tyler Alexander scored in the 42nd minute to give the Bobcats a 5-3 lead at the break.

The second half scoring slowed down drastically, but still had its excitement late.

Pittman extended Jones' lead to 6-3 in the 74th minute with his third goal of the match for the hat-trick, and seemed to turn the lights out on Northwest.

But the Rangers made things interesting with less than 7 minutes to play when Smith used assists from Khulfan and Joseph Paez to earn his hat-trick and pull Northwest within 6-5 in the 88th minute.

It was too little, too late however as the Bobcats would control possession the final minute to close out the road win and hit Northwest with its fourth consecutive home loss dating back to last season.

The Rangers will try to get back on track Saturday at Southwest with a 4 p.m. kickoff.