By Brett Brown

Election day is just under two months away. That’s when America will decide who will be the country’s next president.

Northwest Mississippi Community College tailback Germichael Sanford’s name won’t be on the ballot, but he would definitlely garner a few votes around the Senatobia area.

Sanford, a freshman from Batesville, rushed for three touchdowns to lead Northwest to a 33-10 victory against the Itawamba Indians Sept. 18 at Bobby Franklin Field in Senatobia.

The Rangers improved to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the MACJC north division, while Itawamba dropped to 1-3 and 1-1. Northwest has won 12 of its last 13 division contests.

Sanford finished with nine carries for 93 yards and busted the game open on his first carry of the night with a 76-yard jaunt in the second period to give the Rangers a 14-3 lead.

“Germichael gets the hard yards for us and he was able to break a long one,” said Northwest Head Coach Ricky Woods, who also coached Sanford at South Panola High School. “Anytime you win, it makes every aspect of life a lot easier. I am proud of our guys for bouncing back the way they did and playing hard tonight.”

Sanford’s performance almost overshadowed the outstanding play of the Ranger defense, which held Itawamba to 226 total yards and forced three turnovers. The Indians managed just 30 yards and two first downs in the second half.

Linebackers Timothy Kirk and DeShagdrick Biggins, both of Charleston, returned interceptions for touchdowns to spark Northwest. 

Freshman Kirk gave the Rangers a 7-0 lead by intercepting a pass and racing 31 yards for a score. Sophomore Biggins scored the final points of the evening when he picked off a pass and dashed 59 yards for a touchdown.

“That was just two guys making plays, and when you make plays it gives you confidence,” added Woods. “This game is all about confidence.”

Northwest led 21-10 at halftime, but put the game away in the third quarter on Sanford’s second one-yard touchdown run and Biggins’ interception return.

The Ranger offense racked up 458 yards of total offense, including 272 passing yards.

Northwest freshman quarterback Casey Weson of Prattville, Ala., completed 25 of 32 passes for 273 yards. Weston’s favorite target was sophomore Roderick Jefferson (pictured right) of Batesville who had eight receptions for 109 yards. 

Ranger freshman tailback Aubrey Shelton of Grenada finished with 67 yards rushing, while freshman tailback Tijuan Green of Warner Robins, Ga., had 66.

“We played a lot better on offense tonight because our running game showed up,” said Woods. “Our receivers also had some yards after the catch, and our offense is built around that.”

 

MACJC scores from week 4
Northwest	33	Itawamba	10
Coahoma	28	Holmes	14
Mississippi Delta	35	Northeast	0
East Mississippi	27	Gulf Coast	23
Pearl River	37	Hinds	10
Jones County	42	East Central	35
Copiah-Lincoln	28	Southwest	0