Northwest captured its second consecutive MACCC championship with a 16-13 win over Gulf Coast at Bobby Franklin Field. The victory marked Northwest’s fourth conference title in six seasons and improved the Rangers to 10-1 on the year. Mississippi Gulf Coast finished the season at 9-2.
Special teams and defense shaped the outcome throughout the game.
Northwest opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 51-yard field goal. Gulf Coast responded after blocking a punt deep in Ranger territory and scoring on a short touchdown pass. Northwest regained the lead early in the second quarter with a touchdown reception by Quincy Phillips Jr.
The Rangers maintained that 10-7 advantage through halftime after trading interceptions with the Bulldogs late in the second quarter.
Northwest extended its lead to 13-7 midway through the third quarter on a 28-yard field goal. Gulf Coast tied the game early in the fourth after a reverse run to the end zone. A penalty pushed the point after attempt back, and Northwest blocked the kick to keep the score even.
The decisive points came with just under seven minutes remaining when Northwest connected on a 47-yard field goal to go ahead 16-13. Gulf Coast advanced into scoring position on the following possession but missed a 38-yard attempt. Northwest secured the win by converting a late third down and running out the remaining clock.
Northwest finished with 313 yards of total offense, including 191 passing yards from Neko Fann, who completed 18 of 30 attempts with one touchdown and one interception. The Rangers relied heavily on the running game in the second half, led by Jarvis Durr with 65 rushing yards and 45 receiving yards for 110 total yards. Ja Keyes added 37 rushing yards, and Julius Pope contributed 26 before exiting due to injury.
Keon Hutchins led Northwest in receiving with 50 yards on five catches. Britten Traylor and M. J. Johnson added three receptions each. Defensively, Rase Jones paced the Rangers with seven tackles, while T. J. Span and Chris Thomas recorded six apiece. Northwest registered two takeaways on interceptions by Marion Keyes and Elliot Helps. The Rangers limited one of the top passing offenses in the country and produced several key stops in short yardage situations, including a first quarter goal line stand.
Gulf Coast totaled 308 yards of offense, recording 94 rushing yards and 214 passing yards on 18 completions. Landon Varnes threw for 214 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Alan Woods led the Bulldogs on the ground with 73 rushing yards, and Michael Moore was the leading receiver with 75 yards. Gulf Coast converted five of ten third downs and finished two of four in the red zone. The Bulldogs also registered a blocked punt and forced one turnover on an interception.
Northwest is positioned for an NJCAA playoff berth as one of the top four teams nationally. The national semifinals are scheduled for the weekend of December 6, with the championship slated for December 16 in Frisco, Texas.
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