CHARLOTTE - With non-division play now in the books and a 2-1 start recorded through three games, Northwest has inched up a spot in the NJCAA Division I Football Rankings, the organization announced on Monday afternoon.

Northwest checks in at No. 12 in this week's poll, up a spot from its previous rank of 13th. Fellow MACCC programs ranked include Mississippi Gulf Coast (#4), East Mississippi (#6), Jones College (#11) and Northeast (#14).

Hutchinson (Kan.) tops the rankings with a 4-0 record, followed in the top five by Iowa Western, Iowa Central, the aforementioned MGCCC and Snow College (Utah). 

Northwest will open MACCC North Division competition on Thursday at Itawamba. Coached by former Northwest assistant Travis Macon, the Indians (0-3, 0-1 MACCC North) are coming off a close rivalry loss to Northeast, but will certainly be hungry for a victory on the home field in Fulton.

Northwest leads the all-time series against ICC by a 43-26-1 margin and the Rangers have won three straight meetings against the Indians. However, Itawamba has given the Rangers fits in recent years, earning wins against Northwest in 2017 and 2019, while dropping a close 16-14 decision in 2020.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 P.M. from Eaton Field in Fulton. Pregame coverage with Tyler Springs and Russell Copeland will begin at 6:30 P.M. on Ranger TV, Action News 5 Plus and WHCQ-LD 8.