GOODMAN - Northwest compiled 448 yards of total offense, including a season-best 257 yards on the ground as the 14th-ranked Rangers earned a convincing 51-20 triumph at Holmes on Thursday night.

For the Rangers, it was the most points scored in a single game since a 54-18 victory against Coahoma on October 10, 2019. Northwest improved its record to 2-1 overall (1-0 MACCC North), while Holmes dropped to 0-3 on the year and 0-1 in division play.

It didn't take long for the Rangers to strike, as Jarvis Townsend intercepted Kyren Batey's pass on the second play of the contest, returning it for a 36-yard touchdown and a quick 6-0 lead.

Holmes responded with an 11-play, 42-yard drive on its next possession, but the Rangers' defense held the Bulldogs to a 35-yard field goal from Luke Moffett and remained ahead, 6-3.

Northwest wasted little time getting back downfield, as Hiers tossed two solid passes to E. Jai Mason and D.T. Sheffield for 15 and 36 yards, respectively. Jaquerrious Williams would then cap off a four-play, 71-yard possession with a 17-yard touchdown run to push the Rangers' lead to 13-3 with 5:44 left in the first quarter.

Batey and the Bulldogs continued to keep pace for most of the opening quarter, as Holmes marched 75 yards downfield and into the end zone on a three-yard keeper from Batey, slicing the deficit to 13-10.

Northwest closed out the first quarter in the midst of a seven-play, 65-yard drive that carried over into the second quarter, when Hiers scored on a nine-yard keeper on the first play. The Rangers would force a Holmes punt on the next possession and added to their lead with a 17-yard touchdown pass to D.T. Sheffield, widening the gap to 27-10.

Holmes would burn the remaining eight minutes of the second half on a 16-play, 52-yard drive, adding three points off another Moffett field goal as time expired, sending the Rangers into the locker room with a 27-13 advantage.

Whatever energy the Bulldogs had in the first half was quickly drained entering the second half, as Northwest outscored Holmes 24-7 over the final two quarters. The Rangers got the scoring surge started six plays into the third quarter, as Williams scored on a 15-yard carry to make it a 34-13 lead.

Things went from bad to worse for Holmes midway through the third quarter, as Moffett's punt was blocked by Jackson Mize and returned by Fred Watson, Jr. to the Bulldogs' 13-yard line. Just one play later, freshman tailback Jamarien Bracey logged his second career touchdown to stretch the lead to 41-13.

Early in the fourth quarter, freshman kicker Eli Hamlin hit his third field goal of the season, this one from 20 yards out that made it a 44-13 advantage. After Holmes scored on a rare 45-yard pass midway through the final quarter, Northwest found the end zone one last time with 2:38 left, as Jackson Allen strolled in from 16 yards out.

Holmes edged Northwest in total rushing yards (280-257), but the Rangers outgained the Bulldogs in just about every other category. Northwest shut down the Bulldogs through the air for most of the night, allowing no passing yards during the first half. Holmes would finish with just 49 yards passing, 45 coming on the late touchdown.

Hiers tossed for 186 yards and completed 12 of his 15 pass attempts. Sheffield was the top target on the evening, as the Corinth native hauled in five catches for 98 yards and a touchdown.

Bracey earned a career-high 116 rushing yards, his first 100-yard rushing game of his career. Meanwhile, Williams' two rushing touchdowns moved him to 22 career rushing touchdowns, a three-way tie for fourth in program history with Ricky Blake (1987) and Rontae Bass (1991-92).

Defensively, Sam Brumfield led the Rangers in total tackles for the third straight week, logging 13 on the night. Townsend also earned 12 tackles to go with his early pick-six, while Rontavious Person picked up two tackles-for-loss.

Holmes was paced by 18 carries and 104 yards from Thomas McCauley and 66 rushing yards from Batey. Justice Robinson and Donovan Veasley led the Bulldogs' defense with five tackles apiece.

Northwest will return to the friendly confines of Ranger Stadium at Bobby Franklin Field next Thursday, September 23, as Northeast will make an appearance in the Five Star City. It will be the North Division opener for the Tigers (0-3), who are coming off an 18-13 loss at Hinds.

Kickoff is set for 7 P.M. with pregame coverage beginning at 6:30 P.M. on Ranger TV (nwccrangers.com/watch), Facebook Live and WHCQ-LD 8.