COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Northwest continued its climb in the national rankings this week, as the Rangers jumped from No. 10 to No. 6 in the latest NJCAA poll released Tuesday afternoon.

Despite a convincing 61-38 victory against then-No. 1 East Mississippi last week, Northwest (5-1) only moved up four spots and remains outside of the Top 5 heading into Thursday's road contest at East Central.

Previously ranked second, Iowa Western is the new No. 1 team at 6-1 overall, followed by Arizona Western (5-0), Trinity Valley (6-1), Hinds (6-0) and Blinn (6-1).

Three other MACJC programs are also represented in the rankings, with EMCC (6-1) dropping to seventh, Jones County (6-1) moving up to No. 10 and Mississippi Gulf Coast (5-2) checking in at No. 15.

Thursday's 6:30 p.m. kickoff at East Central can be viewed at nwccrangers.com/watch. 

NJCAA Top 20 Poll (10/17/17)
1. Iowa Western
2. Arizona Western
3. Trinity Valley (TX)
4. Hinds
5. Blinn (TX)
6. Northwest Mississippi
7. East Mississippi
8. Independence
9. Hutchinson (KS)
10. Jones County
11. Snow (UT)
12. Scottsdale (AZ)
13. Georgia Military
14. Tyler (TX)
15. Mississippi Gulf Coast
16. Butler (KS)
17. Lackawanna (PA)
18. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
19. Louisburg (NC)
20. Navarro (TX)