NEMCC Football Falls 20-10 to No. 11 Northwest at Homecoming

NEMCC football gave No. 11 Northwest Mississippi Community College a battle on homecoming night in Booneville, but the Rangers pulled away late for a 20-10 win Thursday at Tiger Stadium, according to Northeast Mississippi Community College Athletics.

The loss was the Tigers’ third straight. Northeast falls to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in North Division play, while Northwest improves to 3-2.

How the Game Unfolded

Northeast’s defense opened with a stop. Elijsah Westbrook sacked the Northwest quarterback and forced an intentional grounding penalty, leading to a Ranger punt. After the Tigers turned the ball over on downs, Northwest put together a 78-yard drive and scored on a 2-yard run for a 7-0 lead.

In the second quarter, Westbrook and Jerone Baskin each made tackles for loss to hold Northwest to a field goal and a 10-0 lead. The Tigers answered. A 45-yard pass to Jeremiah Thomas and a 10-yard run by Glen Singleton set up quarterback Xae Mayes’ 14-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Cobbs, cutting the lead to 10-7 at halftime.

Northeast had a chance to tie it in the third quarter. Jakari Brown got into the backfield for a strip sack and recovered the fumble himself. The Tigers drove behind Mayes’ running but missed a field goal wide right. Late in the quarter, Northwest hit a 52-yard pass to an open receiver for a touchdown and a 17-7 lead.

Daniel Sherman made a 25-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to pull the Tigers within 17-10 with under 10 minutes left. Northwest then drove 13 plays and ran more than seven minutes off the clock before adding a field goal to seal the 20-10 final.

NEMCC Football Key Stats

• Xae Mayes: 164 passing yards and 60 rushing yards, for 224 total yards
• Jeremiah Thomas: 72 yards on three catches, leading all receivers
• Isaiah Cobbs: Northeast’s only touchdown
• Daniel Sherman: four punts, all inside the 20, with a long of 56 yards
• Torell Henderson: team-high eight tackles
• Jerone Baskin: seven tackles, two for loss

Northeast out-rushed Northwest 127 to 113 and did not commit a turnover. Northwest had the edge in passing, 185 yards to 164, and held the ball for 32 minutes to the Tigers’ 28.

Homecoming Night and What’s Next

The game capped Northeast’s homecoming festivities, which included recognition of the college’s 2026 Sports Hall of Fame class at Tiger Stadium before kickoff. Read more in our story on the NEMCC Hall of Fame inductees.

The Tigers get a few extra days of rest before traveling to Scooba to face East Mississippi Community College in a Saturday game set for a 2 p.m. kickoff.

Source: Northeast Mississippi Community College Athletics