SENATOBIA – Trailing after the first quarter for the first time all season, 6th-ranked Northwest scored 26 unanswered to take a three touchdown lead early in the fourth and held on for a 32-20 win over visiting Holmes Thursday night at Bobby Franklin Field.
Northwest won its ninth-straight game and stayed perfect on the season at 6-0 overall and 5-0 in the north. The win over Holmes marked a 10th consecutive in the series, but more importantly, clinched a state playoff berth next month. Holmes fell to 3-4 overall and 3-2 in the division.
The game saw three touchdowns in the opening 4:43 and quickly Holmes led 14-6.
The Bulldogs forced a fumble on the Rangers' first drive of the game and Jammie Johnson took it 41 yards down to Northwest's 9-yard line. One play later, quarterback Dennis Robertson rushed in for the score and a 7-0 lead – Northwest's first deficit in the first quarter all season.
The Rangers answered with a 4-play, 65-yard drive over 1:40, with Damian Baker responsible for 17 yards on the ground and a 48-yard touchdown reception from Domonique Harris. The PAT sailed wide from Chase Carpenter and Holmes led, 7-6.
On the ensuing kickoff, Jacorie Ousley bobbled the kick at the 7-yard line and then housed one from 93 yards away to put Holmes on top 14-6 with 10:17 left in the first quarter.
From there the game settled in and the Rangers began to click on all cylinders. Despite trailing 14-9 after the opening quarter, Northwest held Holmes to minus-8 yards while racking up 198 yards.
Back-to-back Carpenter field goals from 35 and 32 yards pulled the game within 14-12 before Baker's second receiving touchdown with 22 seconds left in the half gave Northwest its first lead at 18-14.
After a shaky start, Northwest outgained Holmes 305-67 in the opening 30 minutes.
With Holmes driving to start the second half, Dominique Price's third interception of the season in the end zone would result in another Ranger touchdown minutes later.
Northwest put together its best drive of the night, going 80 yards in 12 plays over 5:09 with Percy O'Bannon scoring from 2-yards out for the 25-14 lead with 7:37 left in the third.
After forcing a Holmes punt to start the fourth, the Rangers would push the lead out to 32-14 with 10:59 remaining when Harris scampered in from 9 yards out. The drive spanned 3:51 and covered 61 yards on eight plays, with Baker and O'Bannon carrying the load the majority of the drive.
Holmes' best drive of the night, a 9-play, 70-yard drive pulled the Bulldogs within 32-20 with 5:10 remaining when Nick Glover scored from 3 yards out. The PAT was then blocked by Desmond LaVelle.
The always exciting on-side kick attempt followed, and Holmes managed to come up with it when the ball was touched by the Rangers prior to it going 10 yards.
But the Ranger defense held strong to keep it a two touchdown game, and Randolph Williams slammed down Robertson on 4th-and-6 to turn the Bulldogs over on downs.
Northwest outgained Holmes 510-222 on the night and held the Bulldogs to 1-of-11 on third downs while picking up 11 tackles-for-loss and five sacks.
Baker rushed for a career-high 188 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, his third 100-yard rushing game, and also caught four passes for 44 yards and a score. O'Bannon and Harris added 55 and 28 on the ground to give the Rangers' rushing game 271 yards on the night.
Holmes was led offensively by Richard Hampton who rushed 13 times for 122 yards and standout Jonathan Rumph who had seven catches for 63 yards.
Northwest will take a 9-game winning streak into Scooba next Thursday night where the reigning national champions, East Mississippi, have a 19-game winning streak of their own. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Live video and live stats will be available for fans by logging on to nwccrangers.com.
