JACKSON – Seven members of the Northwest football team were recognized for their outstanding seasons on Tuesday, as the conference office announced their All-MACJC Teams.
Highlighting four first team selections were sophomore cornerback
Brandin Echols (def back MVP) and sophomore offensive guard
Lavante Epson Jr., who also earned NJCAA All-Region 23 honors and will be up for All-American consideration.
Echols, a Kentucky commit, led the MACJC and was second in the NJCAA in interceptions (six), while his 12 pass breakups ranked fourth in the country. He added 49 tackles, a forced fumble and blocked kick on the year.
Epson started all 10 games for the Rangers as a sophomore and 13 of 19 career games at left guard, grading out near 90 percent under the direction of offensive line coach
Jim Jones.
Tight end
Jack Hendershot and defensive end
D.J. Reed rounded out the first team selections. Hendershot started all 10 games for the nation's 15th-ranked offense and consistently graded out in the 90's, while Reed started all 21 career games and finished with 68 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and a pair of blocked kicks.
Northwest also had three second team all-conference selections in quarterback
Jacob Free, wide receiver
Demarcus Jones and linebacker
Brandon Pierre.
Free, a Troy commit, threw for 2,036 yards, sixth-most in the NJCAA, and 14 touchdowns against four interceptions. He connected with 12 different receivers on the year, averaging 226.2 yards per game and completing 54 percent of his passes.
Jones had 1,000 all-purpose yards over his two-year Ranger career, averaging nearly 15 yards per catch. He had 21 grabs for 363 yards and two touchdowns this season.
Pierre wrapped up a solid career with 72 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss and three sacks as a sophomore to give him 137 career tackles. He added two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and interception.
Northwest closed the year 8-2 overall and ranked No. 8 in the NJCAA. It's the Rangers' fourth consecutive 8-win season.
