By Brett Brown
NWCC Sports Information

Seven Northwest Mississippi Community College Ranger football players have been recognized for their outstanding play during the 2009 season by earning post-season awards.

Northwest ended the season with a record of 6-3 and placed third in the MACJC north division with a 4-2 mark.

Two Rangers were chosen All-Region XXIII— receiver Michael Lindsey and safety Bud Barksdale.

Sophomore Lindsey of St. Petersburg, Fla., took the league by storm in his only season at Northwest with 52 catches for a state-leading 1,060 yards and 13 touchdowns. Lindsey’s totals ranked  him among the top three in the nation.

Sophomore Barksdale of Batesville was one of Northwest’s most consistent players on defense this season. Barksdale collected 51 tackles, recovered two fumbles, and intercepted two passes.

Lindsey and Barksdale were also selected first team MACJC All-State. Joining them on that list is freshman punter/placekicker Kevin Buford.

Buford nailed six-of-seven field goals this season for the Rangers and converted 19 of 30 extra points. Buford also provided the game-winning field goal in two of Northwest’s six victories this season.

Four Ranger sophomores were picked second team All-State. They are safety V.J. Street of Senatobia, offensive linemen Cameron Wagner of Batesville and Willie Oliver of Courtland, and quarterback Casey Weston of Prattville, Ala.

Street led Northwest with five interceptions in 2009. He also collected 42 tackles and broke up four passes.

The blocking of Wagner and Oliver were two reasons the Rangers had one of the most explosive offenses in the state this season. Northwest averaged 414.6 yards per game.

Weston enjoyed one of the best seasons ever by a Ranger quarterback. Weston led the state and nation in every passing category by completing 190 of 341 passes for 2,871 yards and 27 touchdowns.