JACKSON – A total of 13 Northwest student-athletes have been selected for All-MACJC honors, the conference announced this week.

Seven players were voted as first team selections, highlighted by Offensive Line MVP Ashton Gist and Defensive Line MVP Robert Hentz II. Receiver Braden Smith, tailback Chris Calvert, offensive lineman Cameron Watson, linebacker Quentin Wilfawn and defensive back Jayce Rogers rounded out the Rangers' first team honorees.

Gist was one of several players that anchored a strong offensive front for the Rangers this season. The Oxford native played and started at center in every game of his Northwest career, arriving with the Rangers after earning numerous accolades for a solid prep career at Oxford High School.

A Kansas State commit, Hentz' stock began to rise in the offseason after he was named to JCGridiron.com's preseason Defensive Tackle watch list. The Batesville native and South Panola product received several Division I offers after his freshman campaign but became a critical piece of the Ranger defense this season, earning 44 total tackles, 10.5 TFLs, five pass breakups, three sacks and two hurries.

Blossoming into the Rangers' primary receiving option as a freshman, Smith continued his success as a sophomore, reeling in a team-best 47 catches, 724 yards and nine touchdowns. The Louisville commit started every game as a sophomore and averaged 65.8 yards per game, while also earning preseason recognition by JCGridiron.com.

Despite battling injury throughout his sophomore season, Calvert made his presence felt throughout the MACJC. In seven games, the West Point native rushed for 529 yards on 72 carries for an average of 7.3 yards per carry.

Wilfawn had a strong sophomore campaign for the Ranger defense this season, leading the team with 70 total tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, three sacks and an interception. The Oxford product played and started in all but one game as a sophomore, recording three games with 10 or more tackles.

Another player that received preseason recognition from JCGridirion.com was Rogers, who followed up on a solid freshman campaign with 30 tackles, eight pass breakups, two interceptions and two tackles-for-loss. His seven tackles in last Saturday's MACJC Championship was a career high for the Valdosta, Ga. native.

Northwest also had six more receive second team honors, a list that included quarterback Jack Walker, offensive lineman Shyron Rodgers, defensive linemen Justin Jackson and Tyren Irby, linebacker Dee Rule and defensive back Verenzo Holmes, Jr.

A Georgia State transfer, Walker played and started every game for Northwest, tossing 147 completions for 20 touchdowns and 2,279 yards. Walker averaged 207.2 passing yards per game this season and finished the year with a 54.7 completion percentage.

Jackson proved to be one of several weapons on the Rangers' defensive line, totaling 25 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, six hurries, five sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. A former Center Hill High School standout, Jackson received preseason recognition from JCGridiron.com and received several Division I offers over the offseason, later committing to Colorado.

Much like his fellow defensive linemen, Irby played a pivotal role as part of a frightening front seven on the Northwest defense. The Oklahoma State commit capped off his sophomore campaign with 40 total tackles, 10.5 TFLs, six sacks, six hurries, five breakups and a pair of forced fumbles.

A native of Lake Cormorant, Rule finished with 59 total tackles and 3.5 TFLs, three pass breakups, three hurries, an interception and a sack. He was most recently awarded MACJC Defensive Player of the Week honors after accounting for a career-high 15 total tackles (8 solo), a tackle-for-loss and a forced fumble in last Saturday's MACJC Championship loss to Mississippi Gulf Coast.

After transferring from Ball State ahead of the season, Holmes joined Rogers, Cam White and Christian Cain as primary threats in the Rangers' secondary, totaling 15 tackles, four pass breakups and a tackle-for-loss.

Northwest finished the season at 8-3 overall and the 2019 MACJC North Division champions. The Rangers also earned a No. 5 final regular season ranking in the NJCAA national poll.