COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – For the 16th time in the last 22 years, Northwest will open the football season nationally ranked, coming in at No. 6 in the 2017 NJCAA preseason poll released Monday afternoon. 

In addition to the NJCAA poll, Northwest is also ranked eighth in the College Football America 2017 Yearbook, 13th according to Street & Smith's College Football Preview magazine and 18th by JCGridiron.com. 

Northwest is coming off a 9-3 overall record in 2016, MACJC runner-up finish and Heart of Texas Bowl berth. 

The Rangers have compiled a 20-4 record over the last two seasons and sent 43 players to the four-year level, including 27 Division I signees.

Last year's national runner-up Arizona Western checks in at No. 1, followed by defending MACJC champion East Mississippi at the No. 2 spot. Northeast (9), Holmes (11) and Copiah-Lincoln (18) round out the remaining MACJC teams in the poll.

Northwest has made the MACJC playoffs in 27 out of the last 35 seasons and is poised for a return trip with another talented team under second-year head coach Benjy Parker.

The Rangers will open the 2017 campaign against Hinds on Thursday, Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m. Live video, audio and stats will be provided all season long at www.nwccrangers.com.