SENATOBIA – Freshman Derrell Lovelady hauled in his first career touchdown pass from 7 yards out with 44 seconds left to cap an 11-play, 90-yard drive and No. 11 Northwest rallied to defeat No. 18 Jones County on Homecoming, 40-31. 

The win over Jones County marked the first since the 2001 season, with the Bobcats taking the previous three meetings and leading the all-time series 28-16.

Northwest closed out its 2012 home slate with a perfect 4-0 mark and improved to 7-1 overall. Jones County's season came to a close at 6-3.

Lawon Debardelaben's 89-yard punt return (third-longest in school history) just 3:13 into the game got the scoring started, as he fielded a 63-yard boot from Grant McLaurin and raced the other way for an early 6-0 lead. The return for a score marked the first for a Ranger since 2003.

Jones County responded with back-to-back scoring drives of 71 and 66 yards to take its first lead of the game, 14-6, with 2:06 left in the first, using a 36-yard connection from Ethan Hamilton to JaMichael Willis and a 1-yard run by Rueben Ducksworth. 

As they have all season long, the Ranger defense stepped up and picked off passes on the ensuing two Bobcat drives that immediately resulted in points.

Demarcus Pegues' 30-yard return down to the 11-yard line set up Jalen Gaston for a 7-yard touchdown reception from Domonique Harris and Ty Northern's return to the 49 started a 9-play drive that was capped off by another Gaston TD reception from 18 yards out for a 20-14 lead with 6:38 left in the half.

A big return by Jarret Smith into Northwest territory after the Rangers' go-ahead score set up Jones in great field position as they were able to retake a 21-20 lead just before the half. Ducksworth's second score of the half from 9 yards capped a 38-yard drive that was aided by a 15-yard pass interference penalty. 

After both teams went three-and-out on their opening drives of the second half, Jones tacked on a 44-yard field goal to stretch the lead to 24-20.

Northwest then pushed back in front 27-24 with 4:13 left in the third after one of its best drives of the day that spanned 5:59 and covered 77 yards over 12 plays.

Percy O'Bannon carried it four of the final six plays of the drive, including a 22-yard burst, and found the end zone from 1-yard out for the lead.

Northwest looked to add to the lead after Ed Galloway forced and recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, but the drive stalled out on 4th-and-9 when Harris was intercepted at the 1-yard line by Victor Jenkins.

The Rangers missed another big opportunity on their next possession, driving all the way down to the Jones 16-yard line before Harris was stuffed on 4th-and-2. The 15-play, 65-yard drive lasted 7:33, but didn't result in any points.

Jones used a defensive stand to drive 85 yards the other way, as Jovontae Thurman scored from 17 yards out to cap an 11-play drive and give the Bobcats back the lead, 31-27, with 3:05 left in the game.

After being backed up at their own 10-yard line on an illegal block, the Rangers had their backs against the wall and needed to drive the length of the field for the tie or go-ahead score.

Northwest picked up a 4th-and-2 from its own 31-yard line to keep their potential game-winning score in check, and proceeded to drive 90 yards in just under 2:30. Darreal Joyner had the big 49-yard reception that put the Rangers in range, but it was Lovelady's pickup on fourth down and then the 7-yard touchdown reception with 44 ticks left that provided the come-from-behind victory.

The Rangers then put the icing on the cake on the Bobcats next possession, as Jerome McClain sacked Hamilton for a loss of 13 yards and Randolph Williams scooped the ball up and scored from 2 yards out.

Northwest outgained Jones 419-351 on the afternoon and held the Bobcats to just 145 yards in the second half. The Rangers owned a 37:15-22:45 advantage in time of possession and also ran 91 plays to the Bobcats' 60.

Harris closed the day 26-of-45 for 278 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions and hit Joyner a game-high eight times for 97 yards. Gaston and Lovelady each picked up their first career touchdown receptions while O'Bannon led the rushing attack with 75 yards and a score on 18 carries.

Ducksworth was the workhorse for JCJC, rushing 24 times for 161 yards and two scores.

Defensively, Marion Chapman and Damien Wilson put on a tackling clinic, finishing with 19 and 14 tackles for the Bobcats. Northwest was led by Dominique Price's seven stops, while McClain, Pegues and Desmond LaVelle had six apiece.

Northwest (7-1) will travel to No. 9 Gulf Coast (8-1) next Saturday for the opening round of the MACJC Playoffs. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. from A.L. May Memorial Stadium. 

Live video at www.mgcccbulldogs.com and live stats at www.sidearmstats.com/northwestms/football.