GOODMAN, Miss. – The No. 4 Northwest Mississippi Community College football team delivered its most complete performance of the season Thursday, dominating Holmes Community College 45-10 in a road victory that spoiled the Bulldogs’ homecoming.
The Rangers (7-1, 4-1) scored in all three phases of the game—offense, defense, and special teams—to set up a high-stakes, regular-season finale against Itawamba with a postseason berth on the line.
“We haven’t had a game when special teams, offense, and defense click, but today the offense had a game, defense had a game, and special teams had a game,” sophomore running back Julius Pope said. “That’s Northwest football.”
Northwest’s special teams struck first. After the defense forced a three-and-out, BJ Mix forced a fumble on the ensuing punt return, allowing Nate Walker to recover the ball in the endzone for a 7-0 lead just minutes into the game.
The defense created another turnover when Myles Miller sacked Holmes quarterback Chase Richardson, forcing a fumble recovered by Christ Thomas. That turnover led to a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Neko Fann to Keon Hutchins, pushing the lead to 21-0 early in the second quarter.
A Damari Burton interception on the Bulldogs’ next possession set up another quick score, a 38-yard touchdown pass from Fann to Hutchins, blowing the game open at 28-0.
Fann was efficient in the win, completing 14 of 19 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns. His first scoring pass was a 27-yard strike to Reed Jesiolowski in the first quarter. Hutchins was the top target, finishing with 96 yards on his two touchdown receptions.
“We got some separation and Neko found them for the scores,” Head Coach Benjy Parker said. “It was a great job throwing the ball by Neko and our wideouts.”
The Rangers’ special teams struck again in the third quarter when Quincey Phillips Jr. returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown, making the score 45-3 and triggering a running clock. It was the first punt return for a touchdown by a Ranger since 2022.
“We preach every week about winning the kicking game because that’s a third of it,” Parker said. “We always say if we can win that we have a chance.”
Julius Pope led the rushing attack with 75 yards and a 15-yard touchdown run. The defense tallied a season-high five sacks from five different players and forced three turnovers. Caleb Tillman led the unit with eight tackles.
Holmes (3-5, 3-2) got on the board before halftime with a 40-yard field goal by Dan Lindsay. The Bulldogs scored their only touchdown on the final play of the game on a run by quarterback Cole McCarty.
The victory makes Northwest’s next game a “win-and-in” scenario for the MACCC playoffs. The Rangers will host Itawamba Community College (5-3, 4-1) on Thursday, Oct. 30. Both teams are tied in the conference standings, and the winner will secure a postseason spot.
“It’s a super important game,” linebacker Rase Jones said. “We are looking at it as there is no option for us but to win.”
Kickoff from Bobby Franklin Field is set for 7 p.m.
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
