SENATOBIA - Behind a season-high 480 yards of total offense, 14th-ranked Northwest rolled to a 45-13 victory against Northeast on Thursday evening.

With the win, Northwest improved to 3-1 on the season and 2-0 in MACCC North Division play, while the visiting Tigers fell to 0-4 and 0-1 in division competition. The victory also marked the Rangers' seventh straight win against Northeast, improving the overall series record to 42-18-2.

After Northeast stalled on its first possession of the contest, Northwest responded with a short three-play drive, capped off by a 69-yard touchdown pass from Michael Hiers to E. Jai Mason, the first of three passing touchdowns on the night.

Northeast got on the board later in the quarter on a seven-play, 77-yard drive, as quarterback Carter Putt scored on a three-yard keeper. The Tigers were unable to tie the contest however, as John Ellis Murrah's point-after kick hit off the upright, keeping the Rangers ahead 7-6.

It didn't take long for the Rangers to strike back early in the second quarter, as a seven-play, 80-yard drive ended with a 42-yard touchdown pass from Hiers to Tyson Keys, stretching the lead to 14-6.

Both teams spent the remainder of the second quarter trading punts, before the Rangers struck back on a 23-yard touchdown pass to D.T. Sheffield with 13 seconds left in the half, sending Northwest into the locker room with a 21-6 advantage.

Northwest started with the ball in the second half and took full advantage of the opening possession, as Eli Hamlin nailed a season-best 34-yard field goal to move the lead to 24-6.

Northeast's next possession ended after just two plays, as Sam Brumfield delivered a sack and forced fumble on Putt, before recovering to set the Rangers up at the Tigers' 21-yard line. Two plays later, freshman Jamarien Bracey scored from 16 yards out, further improving Northwest's lead to 31-6.

Although the Tigers delivered a quick 78-yard touchdown strike to Kylan Garrett, the added score did little to faze the Rangers, as Northwest promptly delivered a nine-play, 77-yard drive that resulted in a two-yard touchdown carry from Jaquerrious Williams midway through the third quarter.

Northwest delivered its final blow with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, as Bracey found the end zone on a six-yard carry for his second score of the night. The defense took care of things the rest of the way, keeping Northeast off the board.

Hiers completed 23 of his 33 pass attempts for 327 yards, his fourth career 300-yard passing performance and his second of the season. Mason and Sheffield combined for nine receptions and two touchdowns, finishing with 94 receiving yards apiece.

Defensively, Fred Harris, Jr. and Byron Pearson finished with four tackles apiece, while Brumfield finished with three impactful tackles, two of which on sacks. Micheal Campbell, Omar Pew and Drea Shumaker each earned one tackle-for-loss.

For Northeast, Putt completed 13 of his 33 pass attempts for 219 yards, while Garrett tallied 115 yards on two receptions. Carter Bonds racked up 11 tackles for the Tigers, while Jamarcus Smith earned nine.

Next up for Northwest will be a North Division showdown with East Mississippi on Thursday, September 30. The Lions (4-0, 2-0 MACCC North) are coming off a 49-7 win against Holmes.

Kickoff from Senatobia is set for 7 P.M. at Bobby Franklin Field, with pregame coverage beginning at 6:30 P.M. on Ranger TV, Facebook Live and WHCQ-LD 8.