CHARLOTTE – After dropping to No. 7 with a loss to Holmes, Northwest has bounced back into the NJCAA's Top 5 with a No. 2 national ranking, the organization announced on Monday afternoon.

Northwest improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the MACJC North Division after a 56-36 defeat of then-No. 3 East Mississippi, giving the Lions their first home loss in seven years. The Rangers are ranked for the 59th consecutive poll dating back to 2015, with 56 weeks spent ranked within the Top 10.

Mississippi Gulf Coast has climbed to the top of the national rankings after a 6-0 start to the season. The previous top-ranked team, Hutchinson (Kan.), fell to No. 4 overall after a loss to Highland (Kan.) last Saturday.

Hinds (5-1) fell just outside the Top 5, checking in at No. 6 overall. Other MACJC programs ranked include EMCC (8th), Jones College (12th) and East Central (19th). Copiah-Lincoln fell from its No. 15 spot but continue to receive votes in this week's poll.

Northwest will host Coahoma on Thursday, Oct. 10 for Homecoming at Bobby Franklin Field. The Rangers are 42-2 all-time against the Tigers, who come in at 1-5 overall and 0-3 in the MACJC North after falling 54-26 to Hinds last Thursday evening.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with the pregame show and a recognition of the 2019 Northwest Sports Hall of Fame induction class preceding kickoff at 6:30 p.m.