GOODMAN – Northwest piled up a season-high 580 total yards and held the nation's No. 3 offense, Holmes, to nearly half its season average in a 33-13 statement win at Ras Branch Stadium Thursday night.  

In a battle of NJCAA Top 20 teams, No. 17 Northwest won for the 14th time in 15 tries over No. 3 Holmes to improve to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the north division. Holmes suffered its first loss of the year in moving to 4-1 and 2-1. 

Northwest dominated in the game's first 30 minutes, but only led 13-7 at the half due to three missed chip shot field goals and an interception return for a touchdown.

Jack Abraham's 10-yard touchdown toss to JaVonta Payton capped a nine-play, 84-yard drive to put the Rangers up 7-0 in the first quarter.

It was 13-0 with 4:22 to play in the first half on a 26-yard touchdown strike from Abraham to Cole Rotenberry immediately after Rotenberry's 33-yard punt return setup the Rangers deep in Holmes territory.

Holmes' opening score of the night came on a 61-yard interception return by Martavious Adams right before the half, with Adams benefiting off a tipped ball off the hands of a Ranger receiver.  

Northwest picked up offensively in the second half right where they left off, this time capitalizing with three straight touchdown drives to open up a 33-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. Monta Thomas capped a pair of quick drives with touchdown runs of two and 48 yards and Abraham hit Payton in stride for a 27-yard touchdown strike.

Northwest's defense was solid all night in defending the Bulldogs' triple-option and also forced three turnovers on downs, blocked a field goal and picked off a pass. 

Holmes backup quarterback Jesse Wilson managed an 11-play, 57-yard drive for the Bulldogs' final score of the night to make it 33-13, capped off by a 12-yard touchdown pass to Steven Burdette.

A balanced Ranger attack saw Abraham throw for 367 yards and three touchdowns on 20-of-26 aim, while Kevin Perkins (16-106), Thomas (14-70-2) and others combined for 213 on the ground.

Holmes was held to 9-of-16 passing for 115 yards and rushed for 206, led by Cameryn Brent's 85 yards.

Brandon Pierre led the Rangers with nine tackles, followed by Malik Sanders and Keith Brown Jr. with eight apiece. Hal Northern added a sack, breakup, quarterback hurry and three tackles.

Northwest will return to Senatobia next Thursday, Oct. 5, hosting Coahoma for a 6:30 kickoff at Bobby Franklin Field.