The MACCC playoffs delivered two statement games. Northwest fought to the final whistle. Gulf Coast imposed its will in the second half. The result: two powerhouse programs heading for the title clash in Senatobia.
Northwest survives Co-Lin
Northwest escaped with a 28-27 win over Copiah-Lincoln in one of the wildest finishes of the year.
The Rangers trailed 27-21 late in the fourth. On fourth-and-seven, a pass-interference call to extend the drive. A few plays later, M.J. Johnson caught a 10-yard touchdown pass, his third of the game, to give Northwest the lead.
Co-Lin drove to the seven-yard line with 11 seconds left but chose to go for the win instead of a field goal. Linebacker Elliott Helps sealed it for the Rangers with an interception in the end zone.
Johnson finished with nine catches for 163 yards and three touchdowns. Julius Pope added 14 receptions for 121 yards and 65 rushing yards. Fann completed 30 of 43 passes for 235 yards and three scores. A missed extra point earlier in the game haunted Co-Lin in the end.
Gulf Coast overwhelms East Mississippi
Gulf Coast booked its first championship appearance since 2019 by defeating East Mississippi 45-24 in Scooba.
The Bulldogs broke open a tight game in the second half, outscoring the Lions 31-7 after halftime. Gulf Coast, now 9-1, beat East Mississippi for the second time this season and improved to 36-32-1 all-time against the Lions.
The pivotal moment came early in the third quarter. Leading 21-17, Gulf Coast blocked a 24-yard EMCC field goal attempt. La’Zeric Johnson crashed in, and Shadrick Toodle scooped the ball and returned it to the one-yard line. Alan Woods punched it in on the next play.
East Mississippi responded with a touchdown to cut the deficit to 28-24, but Gulf Coast answered instantly. Landon Varnes hit Tyler Henderson on a 57-yard strike to regain control.
Varnes completed 23 of 30 passes for 261 yards and four touchdowns. Henderson caught nine passes for 141 yards and two scores. Antwaan Mays added nine receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Woods rushed for 109 yards and a score. Elijah Jones-Crosby added 104 yards and a 59-yard touchdown in the closing minutes.
The Bulldogs totaled 477 yards of offense to EMCC’s 428. They out-rushed the Lions 216-161. Gulf Coast’s defense clamped down, holding East Mississippi to seven second-half points. Kaleb Arterberry led the Bulldogs with 12 tackles and a sack.
For East Mississippi, Trey Irving III passed for 267 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 82 more. Running back Gavin Griffin closed his season with 73 yards and two touchdowns, giving him 1,168 yards and 22 rushing scores for the year.
Championship Saturday
It’ll be Gulf Coast at Northwest for the MACCC championship on Saturday.
It’s a collision of styles. Northwest rides momentum and thrives in chaos. Fann distributes the ball to multiple weapons. Johnson and Pope can break games open at any moment.
Gulf Coast is methodical and balanced. Varnes leads a sharp passing game, and the run duo of Woods and Jones-Crosby gives them consistent production. Henderson remains a constant deep threat.
Northwest wants pace. Gulf Coast wants control. Both have playmakers who can change the game in one snap.
Kickoff in Senatobia is scheduled for 2 p.m.
PHOTO: Bobby McDuffie/MGCCCAthletics.com
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