SENATOBIA – Fifth-ranked Northwest turned in one of its most balanced offensive efforts of the season and four different Rangers found the end zone as the hosts ran away for a 31-7 victory over division rival Northeast Thursday night.
Northwest outgained Northeast 467-225 on the night, with 225 through the air and 242 on the ground.
Northwest improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the north while Northeast fell to 1-7 and 1-4 in division action.
The Rangers built a four touchdown lead after three and a half quarters and ran out the clock on their 19th home win in 21 tries.
Chris Calvert got the Rangers on the board early in the first, breaking free for an 83-yard score – the fifth-longest run in school history – nearly untouched to paydirt and a 7-0 lead.
The Rangers extended their lead to 14-0 on the second drive of the second quarter, driving 64 yards on eight plays.
Jacob Free's 39-yard connection with
Maurice Toney setup
Jaxton Carson's 5-yard touchdown run, his second of the season.
Out of the half, Northwest took its first possession 70 yards to the end zone for a 21-0 lead, with a 27-yard strike to
Keshunn Abram helping set up Free's 18-yard touchdown pass to
Monterio Hunt.
Defense then turned to offense in the fourth quarter for the Rangers, with Zac Oden sacked by
Tyren Irby and
Robert Miller recovering at the Northeast 29-yard line. Five plays later,
Demarcus Jones scored from two yards out to make it 28-0.
Northeast broke the shutout on its ensuing drive, their best of the night. A 10-play drive over 4:11 ended on Jalen Cobbs' 1-yard touchdown run.
Chris Taylor's 23-yard field goal capped the scoring with 4:54 to play and made the final 31-7.
The Ranger defense allowed just 61 yards in the second half and four first downs and has now shutout Northeast in 10 of the last 12 quarters dating back to 2016.
Jonathan Jones led Northwest with a career-high 10 tackles. As a unit, the Rangers finished with 10 tackles-for-loss, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception by
Jerrick Reed II.
Free was 17-of-29 for 225 yards and a score, hitting eight different receivers on the night. Hunt had five grabs for 59 yards and a touchdown. Calvert, Carson and Jones added rushing scores.
Northwest will close out the regular season at Itawamba (5-3, 3-2 north) next Thursday, Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m. The Rangers must win to clinch an MACJC playoff berth.
