SENATOBIA – Northwest piled up 566 yards of total offense, rushed for six touchdowns and put the icing on the cake with a pick six late in the game to crush No. 1 East Mississippi 61-38 Thursday night at Bobby Franklin Field in front of a record crowd.

Northwest got EMCC on its home turf for the first time since 2014 and made a statement by handing the Lions their worst loss in seven years. It snapped EMCC's nation-best 17-game winning streak and 28-game north division streak, while the Rangers extended their home winning streak to 15 games. 

The game was won in the trenches, with the Rangers' monster offensive and defensive lines dominating for four quarters.

After falling behind 3-0 on the opening drive of the game, it was all Northwest after that.

Northwest (5-1, 4-1) took its second drive of the night 68 yards on seven plays, capped by Kevin Perkins' one-yard touchdown run, to go ahead for good 7-3.

All three Ranger second quarter possessions ended in touchdowns, two on the ground and one on a beautiful throw and catch from Jack Abraham to JaVonta Payton for 35 yards to make it 21-10.

Monta Thomas' three-yard touchdown run made it 27-17 with minutes left before half and the Rangers then blocked a Taylor Crabtree field goal attempt from 41 yards to keep it a 10 point lead at the break.

Receiving the second half kickoff, Northwest marched 75 yards on seven plays in 2:53 to extend the lead to 34-17 early in the third when Abraham hit Payton again from nine yards out. 

EMCC (6-1, 4-1) cut the lead back to 34-24 after three quarters, traveling 80 yards on 18 plays, capped by Lindsey Scott Jr.'s nine yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams.

Two quick Ranger touchdowns to start the fourth quarter extended Northwest's lead back to 47-24, with Abraham scoring on a 10-yard quarterback keeper and Quarderman Sloan finding the end zone from three yards out.

Brandin Echols' 66-yard interception return for a score was the final dagger, with the freshman going untouched into the end zone to make it 54-31 and send the Ranger faithful into a frenzy. 

Monta Thomas' second rushing touchdown of the night made it 61-31 with 3:57 to play before EMCC added a late score a couple minutes later.

Northwest went over 500 yards for a fifth time in six games, with Abraham finishing 23-of-33 for 314 yards and three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). Perkins and Thomas each had two scores on the ground, Cole Rotenberry had nine grabs for 100 yards and Payton had eight catches for 93 yards and two big touchdowns.

Scott was basically a one-man show for EMCC's offense, finishing 26-of-45 for 310 yards and three touchdowns and adding 125 on the ground.

Brandon Pierre led the Ranger defense with 12 tackles, WVU commit Joshua Norwood added 10 and Echols had the 66-yard pick six. Emanuel Bridges led EMCC with a game-high 16 tackles.

Northwest will hit the road next Thursday, traveling to East Central (1-6) for a non-division matchup at 6:30 at Bailey Stadium/Warrior Field. Live video, audio and stats will be available through nwccrangers.com.