SCOOBA – Top-ranked Northwest saw its 10-game winning streak snapped at the hands of 4th-ranked East Mississippi on Saturday afternoon, with the Lions taking advantage of three nullified Ranger touchdowns to win the NJCAA showdown 51-32 in front of a capacity crowd at Sullivan-Windham Field.

EMCC improved to 6-1 overall and 5-0 in the north division, while Northwest fell to 6-1 and 4-1, its first loss since Oct. 15 of last season before running the table to the MACJC and NJCAA Championship.

Northwest spotted EMCC 17 points in the game's first 18 minutes but the Rangers would come storming back with consecutive scoring drives to pull within a field goal midway through the second quarter.

After being held to six yards total in the opening quarter, Northwest strung together back-to-back scoring drives of 65 and 75 yards, capped by Clay Holgorsen touchdown passes to Alex Norwood and Dee White.

EMCC would answer on its ensuing possession to extend their lead back to 24-14, driving 62 yards on eight plays, capped by De'Andre Johnson's 40-yard touchdown pass, albeit a foot out-of-bounds, to Ja'Moz Mark.

Northwest immediately responded with a big 83-yard throw and catch from Holgorsen to Jerrick Orr down to the EMCC 2-yard line, however, Orr should have been credited with the touchdown reception as he beat two EMCC defenders to the pylon. The missed call cost Northwest four additional points after the Rangers had to settle for a 20-yard field goal.

Northwest went into the halftime trailing 24-17 despite two calls that should've given the Rangers a 21-17 lead.

The tough breaks against the Rangers continued in the second half, with Marquisian Chapman whistled for a rare offensive pass interference call that wiped a 52-yard game-tying touchdown off the board.

EMCC took advantage again and needed only four plays to travel 77 yards, capped by Johnson's 34-yard touchdown pass to Damion Willis, to extend the Lions' lead to 31-17 early in the third quarter.  

After coming up empty on its first four possessions of the second half, Northwest finally broke through with Cam Bowman's 6-yard touchdown pass to Dee White. The ensuing PAT was bobbled and Cole Rotenberry alertly picked the ball up and converted on a 2-point conversion to pull the Ranger deficit to 31-25 after three quarters.

Northwest's lone turnover of the game, a sack-fumble at its own 31-yard line, led to a quick EMCC score. Jacquez Horsley muscled it in from three yards four plays later to extend the Lions' lead to 37-25.

A quick three-and-out for Northwest in just 27 seconds allowed EMCC to take full momentum in the game. Horsley and Johnson moved the Lions 54 yards on 10 plays, capped by Johnson's 8-yard touchdown strike to Daniel Crowell to make it 44-25.

With the Lions once again deep in Northwest territory on their next possession at the Rangers' 30-yard line, Johnson was hit hard by Quondarius Qualls and fumbled and Qualls scooped and scored untouched from 70 yards. However, officials ruled that Johnson's helmet came off and the play was dead despite the fumble occuring seconds before. It marked a third touchdown for Northwest wiped off the board.

Four plays later, Johnson hit Devin Ducksworth for a 7-yard score to cap 27 unanswered points for the Lions.

Northwest would make good on its final drive of the game, traveling 72 yards on nine plays, capped by Bowman's 5-yard touchdown strike to Orr on 4th-and-4. The score was setup by Quarderman Sloan's 34 yard rush on first down to put the Rangers deep in EMCC territory.

EMCC outgained Northwest 614-455 on the afternoon, the Rangers' best offensive output of the season. Northwest was held to just 2-of-15 on third down.

Holgorsen was 16-for-33 for 285 yards and two touchdowns but missed almost the entire second half. Bowman then finished 9-of-15 for 118 yards and two scores. Chapman had a team-high seven catches for a career-high 204 yards and missed the entire fourth quarter. 

Johnson was 26-of-40 for 334 yards and five touchdowns for EMCC, adding 88 yards on the ground on 20 carries. He was also sacked six times.

Tomarcio Reese (13 tackles) and Fred Garth Jr. (12 tackles) had career afternoons, followed by Wesley Bush with eight tackles and a fumble recovery and Adonis Thomas with seven tackles and his sixth sack of the season. 

Northwest will host non-division foe East Central (4-3) on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m.