SENATOBIA - A fast start, ignited by a 65-yard punt return from D.T. Sheffield, helped third-ranked Northwest to a 41-14 victory against Holmes on Homecoming night at Bobby Franklin Field.

Making the win even more special for the Rangers was officially clinching a playoff berth for the ninth straight season, a streak that dates back to 2014. Northwest also claimed at least a share of the MACCC North Division title and can do so outright with an Itawamba loss to East Mississippi this Saturday.

Northwest also improved to 8-0 on the season, finishing the regular season with an undefeated record at home. The Rangers also stretched their all-time series lead against Holmes to 47-20-2, as the Bulldogs dropped to 4-4 on the season.

Holmes got the ball to start the contest, but the Rangers' defense set the tone early, forcing a three-and-out. On the ensuing punt, Sheffield got his team on the board with just his second career punt return touchdown, pushing Northwest to an early 7-0 lead.

After Holmes fell victim to another empty-handed possession, the Rangers got the ball back and marched downfield on a 17-play, 73-yard drive that burned nearly seven minutes off the clock. Cayden Betts capped off the slow march with a short two-yard run, extending the lead to 13-0 late in the quarter.

For as hot as the Rangers started, Holmes was certainly not a team to take lightly coming in and the Bulldogs soon showed off what they could do. Three plays into their next possession, the Bulldogs used some trickery as Dekari Johnson hit A.J. Davis on a 28-yard touchdown pass, slicing the deficit to 13-7 with less than five minutes to go in the opening quarter.

Northwest burned the clock on another slow drive to wind down the first quarter, as the Rangers went 71 yards in 10 plays. This time, reigning MACCC, JUCOWeekly and NJCAA Offensive Player of the Week Ren Hefley kept it himself for a three-yard score, widening the Holmes' gap to 20-7.

Defense became the story for in the second quarter, as both offenses were iced off the scoreboard. The Rangers' best chance to score came off a drive that ended with a missed field goal attempt from Eli Hamlin early in the second, while Holmes failed to cross midfield again until after halftime.

However, the Rangers picked up right where they left off in the second half, scoring 21 more points to pull away from the Bulldogs. After the Rangers coughed the ball up at the Holmes' 42-yard line, the Bulldogs would give the ball right back three plays later, as B.J. Washington scoped out Philip Short's pass attempt for a 36-yard interception return.

Washington's interception set Northwest up inside the red zone and two plays later, Betts scored his second rushing touchdown of the night, stretching the Rangers' lead to 27-7 with 10:20 left to go. Holmes would counter with a 51-yard drive, but the defense stifled the Bulldogs' journey to the end zone, as Short's fourth down incompletion turned the ball back over to Northwest.

After another Bulldog possession came to a halt to open the fourth quarter, Northwest took over and scored two plays later off Kabe Barnett's 69-yard pass to D.T. Sheffield, stretching the gap to 34-7. Holmes would go 75 yards on 11 plays to respond, scoring on third and goal from the 1-yard line, cutting the deficit to 34-14 with 11 minutes to go.

From there, the mission for Northwest became about running out the clock and Xavier Davis would complete the task and then some. After getting the ball on four straight plays, the freshman tailback broke free for a 47-yard score that provided the game's final points.

Northwest totaled 472 yards of offense on the evening, led by 288 yards on the ground. The Rangers also aired out 184 passing yards, while Holmes passed 225 for the evening. However, the Bulldogs were stymied on the ground game, finishing the evening with just six total rushing yards.

After replacing Hefley just before halftime, Barnett completed five of his nine pass attempts, while also throwing for 103 yards and a touchdown. Davis also finished with 117 yards on the ground, followed by 84 from Betts.

In the receiving corps, Sheffield totaled seven catches for 114 yards to lead all Northwest receivers. Holmes had three receivers with 50-plus yards, highlighted by 62 yards on eight catches from Kerrick Ross. Short finished with 21 completions on 39 pass attempts with 192 yards 

Sam Brumfield led all Northwest players in tackles, earning seven stops, a tackle-for-loss and a sack. Jay Adams and Rontavious "Dude" Person netted five tackles apiece as well, while Holmes was sparked by 11 from Breon Jordan and nine apiece from Laquan Robinson and Jodie Williams.

On special teams, Shade Foster booted two punts for 91 yards, both landing inside the 20-yard line. However, he also successfully converted a fake punt attempt, picking up a first down on a 13-yard rush. On the other side, Ryan Wood punted five times for 198 yards, with only one landing inside the 20.

Northwest will conclude the 2022 regular season at Northeast on Thursday, October 27. The Tigers (5-3, 3-2 MACCC North) are coming off a three-game winning streak and are one of the hopeful teams in the mix for the second and final playoff spot from the MACCC North Division, joining Itawamba and East Mississippi.

Kickoff from Tiger Stadium in Booneville is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. on Action News 5 Plus, with pregame coverage beginning at 6 P.M. on Ranger TV (nwccrangers.com/watch) and WHCQ-LD 8.

  Read Full Article