Northwest football has nine All-Region 23 selections, Parker named Coach of the Year
SENATOBIA, Miss. — The No. 4 Northwest Mississippi Community College football team is set to face the No. 1 Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragons in the NJCAA semifinals, carrying momentum from a historic season that earned them nine All-Region 23 players and the Region 23 Coach of the Year award. The MACCC announced the honors Wednesday morning.
Head Coach Benjy Parker claimed his third Region 23 Coach of the Year award, and his second straight, after leading the Rangers to a 10-1 record and a second consecutive MACCC Championship title. His impressive 85-22 career record since 2016 positions him second in program history for wins and first in winning percentage.
The Rangers’ success was reflected in the All-Region team, which featured eight players. Leading the honorees was MACCC North Division Defensive Player of the Year, sophomore defensive tackle Jaylen Thomas of Memphis, Tenn. Thomas anchored a defense that leads the nation in rushing yards allowed, giving up just 50.4 yards per game.
Five defensive players were named All-Region, including Thomas, fellow nose tackle T.J. Spann, linebacker Jerry Wall III, and defensive backs Dre Riley and Jakwon Morris. Wall finished with 51 tackles and 4.5 sacks, while Morris and Riley were key contributors in the secondary, with Morris tallying seven pass breakups and Riley recording 38 tackles.
Offensively, Northwest secured three All-Region spots: offensive lineman Reginhard Pierre-Nau, tight end Reed Jesiolowski, and wide receiver Keon Hutchins. Hutchins had a breakout season with 635 yards and six touchdowns on 34 receptions, including a 219-yard, three-touchdown performance against Southwest Mississippi. Jesiolowski added 348 yards and four touchdowns.
Special teams kicker and punter Hayden Wolfe rounded out the All-Region awards. The reliable sophomore from Clinton, Miss., was 12-of-17 on field goals, with a long of 51 yards, and averaged 38.74 yards on 42 punts, with 20 placed inside the 20-yard line.
The Rangers, who are in search of their fifth national title, enter the semifinal following consecutive wins over nationally ranked opponents.
