SENATOBIA – Northwest led 20-0 after three quarters but had to hold off two late touchdown drives from East Central in a 20-14 victory Thursday night at Bobby Franklin Field.

Northwest extended its home winning streak to 11 games and improved to 7-1 overall, while East Central dropped to 4-4. With wins from both teams next week, it would be a rematch in Decatur on Saturday, Nov. 5 in the first round of the MACJC playoffs.

After coming up empty on its first two drives of the night on a missed 40-yard field goal and turnover on downs, Northwest struck first with just over a minute left in the first quarter.

A 10-yard touchdown pass from Cam Bowman to Jerrick Orr was setup by a 26-yard completion to Dee White a play earlier to give the Rangers a 6-0 lead. The ensuing PAT was no good.

After forcing East Central into consecutive punts, Northwest found the end zone on back-to-back scoring drives to quickly extend its lead to 20-0 with 2:43 left in the first half.

Tywun Walters carried it on seven straight plays, ending with a 1-yard touchdown run, and Quarderman Sloan found the end zone on 3rd-and-10 from 14 yards out after fighting through a crowd of Warrior defenders finding pay dirt. 

Wesley Bush intercepted Dom Marino on the Warriors' final drive of the first half, his team-leading third pick of the season, and the Rangers led 20-0 at the break.

Northwest continued its dominance in the third quarter in eight games this season, not allowing a point, and took a 20-0 lead after three quarters.

Held under 200 yards up until the fourth quarter, ECCC found new life with consecutive 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drives. Marino hit Devonta Jones for touchdown passes of two and eight yards to make it 20-14. 

The Warriors needed 11 tries on their first touchdown drive to score from the Rangers' 4-yard line and benefited from three Northwest penalties before finally punching it in.

Attempting to put the game away with an insurance score, Northwest turned it over on downs on 4th-and-5 at the Warrior 31-yard line to give possession back to ECCC with 2:58 left and a chance to win the game.

Mike McGhee forced a fumble, recovered by Keithen Hargro, but once again Northwest was unable to run out the clock.

Marino's pass was broken up by Hal Northern on ECCC's final shot on 4th-and-17 from its own 13-yard line to seal the win.

Both teams finished just 4-for-14 on third down on the night and the Rangers were just 3-of-7 in the red zone. 

Making his first collegiate start, Bowman finished 14-for-24 for 211 yards and a touchdown, hitting six different receivers, including Orr a team-high four times for 60 yards and a score. Sloan and Walters each had touchdowns on the ground.

Marino was 9-for-27 for two touchdowns and two interceptions for ECCC, while Dwayne Barnett rushed for 85 yards on 26 carries.

The Ranger defense finished with six tackles-for-loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and eight breakups on the night. Adonis Thomas had a career-high 13 tackles to go along with a forced fumble, while Northern and Quondarius Qualls added eight tackles apiece. 

Northwest will close out the regular season Thursday, Oct. 27, hosting 7th-ranked Northeast on First Responders Night.