SENATOBIA – After three straight Top 10 finishes and three consecutive bowl berths, Northwest has received a No. 5 preseason ranking in Street & Smith's 2018 College Football Preview magazine.

Compiled by junior college sportswriter Tony Jimenez for the nationally distributed college football magazine that is currently available on newsstands nationwide, Street & Smith's Top 25 preseason rankings considered all 134 of the nation's two-year schools that feature football programs, including the 69 competing members of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA).

Defending NJCAA national champion East Mississippi is No. 1. Rounding out the top five are Garden City, Iowa Western, Arizona Western and Northwest Mississippi. 

Northwest is coming off an 8-3 season, division championship, MACJC runner-up finish and fourth bowl appearance in six years. The Rangers return just five combined starters in 2018, four of those on defense.

In addition to previewing the nation's predicted Top 10 junior college football teams for the upcoming season, Street & Smith's two-page magazine spread also includes listings of the country's "Super Sophomores." Ole Miss commit JaVonta Payton, who caught 44 passes for 509 yards and nine touchdowns, was named.     

Northwest will kickoff the 2018 campaign on Thursday, Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m. against East Central.

Street & Smith's JUCO Football Top 25:
1. East Mississippi
2. Garden City (Kan.)
3. Iowa Western
4. Arizona Western
5. Northwest Mississippi 
6. San Mateo (Calif.)
7. Snow (Utah)
8. Fullerton (Calif.) 
9. Riverside (Calif.)
10. Ventura (Calif.)
11. American River (Calif.)
12. Independence (Kan.)
13. Jones County
14. City College of San Francisco
15. Georgia Military
16. Trinity Valley (Texas)
17. Mt. San Antonio
18. NE Oklahoma A&M
19. Lackawanna (Penn.)
20. Long Beach (Calif.)
21. Saddleback (Calif.)
22. Hinds 
23. Blinn (Texas)
24. Butler (Kan.)
25. College of Canyons (Calif.)