JACKSON – Eight Northwest players were selected to the 2014 MACJC All-State Football Teams, the league office announced Monday morning.

Freshman running back Justin Crawford (Columbus, Ga.), sophomore offensive lineman Trent Scott (Southaven) and redshirt sophomore defensive back Treston DeCoud (Hammond, La.) earned spots on the First Team.

Sophomore defensive back Brandon Mack (Oxford), redshirt sophomore middle linebacker Terry Caldwell (Wilmington, N.C.), redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Kendall Carr (Batesville), sophomore return specialist Marcel Newson (Coldwater) and freshman punter Jim Speights (Brandon) were named to the All-MACJC Second Team.

Crawford led the MACJC and ranked third in the NJCAA (in only nine games) with 1,551 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging a school-record 172.3 yards-per-game and 7.02 yards-per-carry. He added 12 receptions for 306 yards and four kick returns for 114 yards. He had four games of 200 yards or more, including a school-record 338 yards and 4 TD at Coahoma.

Scott started in all 10 games, seeing time at right guard, left guard and tackle. He consistently graded out the highest of any offensive lineman all year and helped Northwest average 326.9 yards and 22.3 points-per-game. 

DeCoud led the MACJC and was second in the NJCAA with six interceptions, adding seven breakups, two blocked kicks, a forced fumble and 38 tackles (34 solo).

Mack had 36 tackles (28 solo), 1.5 tackles-for-loss, four interceptions, eight breakups, a hurry and blocked kick on the year in 10 starts. His 12 passes defended ranked second behind DeCoud.
 
Caldwell, despite leading the MACJC and ranking third in the NJCAA with 122 total tackles, was only a second team selection. He added 12.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 sacks, five breakups, five hurries, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. He recorded 19 tackles in his final game against 11th-ranked Copiah-Lincoln to earn MACJC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Carr was third on the team with 52 tackles and tied for the team lead with 12.5 for loss. He also had three sacks and three quarterback hurries. 

Newson shattered Northwest's career kick return record, finishing with 1,343 yards on 56 returns for an average of 24.0 yards. The previous record was 724 set in 2004-05. He broke his own single-season record this season with 747 return yards and also had 10 punt returns for 106 yards and a 53-yard touchdown at Hinds.

Speights averaged 38.6 yards-per-punt with a long of 62, six inside the 20, four of 50+ yards and four for touchbacks. His punt average ranked 13th in the NJCAA. 

Crawford and DeCoud were also named NJCAA All-Region 23 and are now eligible for All-American honors.