SENATOBIA – Despite an emotional effort from the Northwest defense, top-ranked Mississippi Gulf Coast used a balanced offensive attack in the second half to outpace the fourth-ranked Rangers 22-19 in Saturday's MACJC Championship.

Northwest delivered the hot hand on its first drive, marching 34 yards in five plays thanks in part to a tremendous catch from Braden Smith. Jaquerrious Williams capped off the drive with a short carry in the end zone, putting the Rangers ahead 7-0.

Thanks to its stifling defense, Northwest forced four Gulf Coast punts and turnover on downs in the first quarter to successfully keep the Bulldogs off the board. MGCCC was held to just 32 yards of total offense in the quarter.

However, the fortunes for Gulf Coast began to turn as the second quarter began. After forcing a Northwest punt, the Bulldogs embarked on a 10-play, 52-yard drive that resulted in a Chance Lovertich touchdown pass to Jymetre Hester, tying the game at 7-7 midway through the second quarter.

Less than two minutes later, the Rangers would respond off a 61-yard touchdown pass from Jack Walker to Jacoby Jones. Gulf Coast would block Cole Catalano's PAT however, keeping the score at 13-7 with 5:21 remaining in the first half.

Gulf Coast put the Rangers on the ropes as the second half drew to a close, but the Bulldogs were denied on 4th & 5 from the Northwest 29-yard line.

A 7-play, 66-yard scoring drive from Gulf Coast ended in an 18-yard touchdown pass from Lovertich to Hester, giving the Bulldogs their first lead of the contest, 14-13 with just under 10 minutes to go in the third quarter.

Still trailing with 6:40 left in the third, Williams delivered a huge 36-yard carry to help set up a big reception from Cameron Wynn, which in turn led to an 8-yard touchdown catch from Smith. The PAT would once again be denied for the Rangers though, as Northwest remained ahead by five at 19-14.

Gulf Coast wasted little time regaining control as the fourth quarter began. The Bulldogs marched 78 yards in 10 plays and capped off the drive with a 30-yard touchdown rush from Austin Bolton and successfully converted the 2-point attempt with another Lovertich-Hester connection, regaining a 22-19 lead on the Rangers.

Walker tried to lead the Rangers back on their next possession, advancing to the Bulldogs' 38-yard line. A pair of incompletions and a rush for no gain halted the drive however, forcing Northwest to punt once again.

Gulf Coast would threaten to extend the lead as the fourth quarter began to draw to a close, but the Rangers' defense kept Northwest in the contest. After advancing to the Northwest 34, the Bulldogs were stopped on third down by a tremendous sack from Justin Jackson and Robert Hentz, giving the Rangers the ball and a chance with 2:29 left.

Unfortunately three incompletions and a sack yielded nothing for Northwest, allowing the Bulldogs to take over in victory formation with 1:23 remaining.

Northwest was held to just 53 rushing yards on the afternoon, its lowest total since a Sept. 26 loss to Holmes. In total, the Rangers totaled 243 yards of offense while Gulf Coast finished with 367.

Smith and Jones accounted for 144 of the Rangers' 190 receiving yards, as Williams only mustered 63 yards on four carries. 

Dee Rule, Christian Cain and Quentin Wilfawn paced the Northwest defense with 15, 12 and 11 tackles apiece, respectively. Micheal Campbell finished with two sacks for 17 yards, while Jackson and Nijel McGriff each earned a sack as well.

Keyon Fordham was dangerous on special teams for Northwest, accounting for 77 yards on three kick returns.

Lovertich was nearly unstoppable for Gulf Coast in the second half, finishing the contest with 25 completions for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Bolton led the Bulldogs on the ground with 117 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.

With the loss, Northwest ends the regular season as the 2019 MACJC North Division champions with an 8-3 overall record. Mississippi Gulf Coast (11-0) advances to the NJCAA National Championship game on Dec. 5.