CHARLOTTE - Northwest got the 2021 season started on the right note with last week's win against Copiah-Lincoln. Now, the Rangers have been rewarded for their performance, inching up to No. 2 in today's latest round of NJCAA rankings.

Snow College is the only program ahead of the Rangers, as the Badgers have claimed the No. 1 spot. Northwest is the highest MACCC program in the rankings, followed by Mississippi Gulf Coast at No. 6 and Thursday's opponent, Jones College, at No. 15.

Outside of the rankings lies East Mississippi and Coahoma, which both earned votes into the poll following a pair of 1-0 starts.

Garden City (Kan.), Iowa Western and Kilgore College (Texas) round out the top five, while defending spring national champion Hutchinson (Kan.) slid from the preseason No. 1 slot down to No. 11.

Thursday's matchup with Jones College will provide the Rangers with an early test, as the Bobcats are one of the few MACCC opponents to hold an all-time series lead on Northwest (31-18). In the last meeting between the two teams, Northwest avenged a two-point playoff loss from 2018 to earn a 24-17 victory at Bobby Franklin Field in the 2019 MACJC Semifinals.

Jones College opened its season on a winning note as well, disheveling Northeast by a 41-17 final in Ellisville. 

Those seeking to attend Thursday's matchup in Ellisville will need to purchase tickets through Jones College here. Live stats and broadcast links can be found on nwccrangers.com/watch.

Kickoff from Sim Cooley Field is slated for a 7 P.M. start time.