MACCC Week 5: North Division Chaos, and South Separation

Yeah, I’m posting this a day early … I’ve got something special planned for the next few days.

Week 5 of the 2025 MACCC football season delivered drama and clarity.

Gulf Coast and Northwest both rallied from early deficits to secure crucial wins. The South Division leaders reinforced their dominance. The North remained wide open, with four teams still in contention.

Gulf Coast trailed Pearl River but mounted a second-half surge to win 42-28. The Bulldogs’ balance of power running and precise passing erased the deficit and kept their perfect record intact. Northwest fell behind Northeast but responded in the fourth quarter, rallying to a 34-27 win. That comeback preserved their North Division title hopes and showed resilience under pressure.

Hinds dominated East Central, holding the Eagles to just two points in a 48-2 victory. Co-Lin controlled Southwest with a 38-7 win. These results reaffirmed the South Division hierarchy. The top three teams are clearly separated from the rest of the division.

Itawamba defeated Delta 34-2 to maintain a perfect 2-0 conference mark. East Mississippi won 31-11 at Coahoma, keeping pace in the North Division. Holmes fell in a non-division game at Jones College, 38-28. Jones improved to 3-2 overall while Holmes slipped to 2-3.

Itawamba and Holmes both hold 2-0 conference records. Northwest and East Mississippi are right behind at 2-1. The North title race remains wide open as the next half of the season will determine who emerges as the favorite.

Gulf Coast stands alone at the top with a perfect record. Hinds and Co-Lin remain strong challengers. The South’s top three teams are separated from the rest of the division. Every remaining South matchup will be important for momentum and positioning, but the championship battle is concentrated among these three programs.

Defense remains the most reliable path to victory. Hinds’ 48-2 win demonstrates how a dominant defense can dictate games. Offense is important, but disciplined, physical teams control outcomes.

Special teams play continues to be critical. Itawamba’s kicker Eli Burciaga provided stability and points in key situations. Reliable kicking can decide close North Division games.

Week 6 brings a bye for all teams.

photo: Maylee Willhite / nwccrangers.com