With the 2024 football season rapidly approaching, JCGridiron.com has released its preseason “Dirty 30” JUCO football rankings, with Northwest slotted at No. 11 in the nation.
Compiled by site publisher Brad Hoiseth, the annual poll was released over the weekend and includes both NJCAA programs and teams competing in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA). The NJCAA’s own rankings will be released closer to kickoff of the regular season.
Hutchinson (Kan.) tops this year’s preseason poll, followed by Iowa Western at No. 2, third-ranked San Mateo (Calif.), No. 4 East Mississippi and fifth-ranked Mount San Antonio (Calif.). Fellow MACCC programs ranked include Copiah-Lincoln at No. 7, Jones College at No. 13, Mississippi Gulf Coast at No. 14 and Hinds, which is ranked 26th.
Despite not being ranked, several more MACCC programs were also mentioned as bubble teams, including Holmes, Northeast, East Central and Coahoma.
Prior to the 2023 campaign, Northwest was ranked 18th in the “Dirty 30” rankings and finished 15th in the poll. Meanwhile, the Rangers also finished at No. 13 in the NJCAA’s season-ending rankings, after compiling a 7-3 overall record and making the MACCC Playoffs for the 10th consecutive season, the longest postseason streak in program history.
This year will mark the ninth season with Northwest coach Benjy Parker at the helm. Since taking over prior to the 2016 season, Parker and the Rangers have compiled an impressive 65-19 overall record and a 41-7 mark against MACCC North Division opponents.
Northwest is scheduled to begin the 2024 season on Thursday, August 29, as the Rangers welcome Pearl River to Ranger Stadium at Bobby Franklin Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
