WESSON -Cinderella was mugged last week.

What was anticipated as a glorious 2000 football campaign hasbecome a nightmare for the Northwest Community College Rangers.Crowned the National Junior College Athletic Association’spreseason No. 1 last month, the Rangers hit rock bottom last weekwhen they were placed on probation by the NJCAA for startingpractice three days early.

Northwest, coached by Bobby Franklin, finished 11-1 last season,winning the Mississippi Association of Community and JuniorColleges state championship. Declared ineligible for the 2000 statechampionship and a postseason bowl, the Rangers invade StoneStadium Thursday night to meet the Co-Lin Wolves in the seasonopener. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

The violations were a direct result of Northwest’s team startingpractice on Aug. 7, three days before the NJCAA starting date ofAug. 10. Conflicting rules in the NJCAA and MACJC handbooks led tothe confusion, say Northwest officials.

“I regret this situation has occurred with our football team,”said Northwest president David Haraway. “We have learned adifficult but valuable lesson as a result of this situation.”

The probation and other penalties compound Northwest’s problems.The Rangers lost two of their best running backs this summer whenKelsey Williams was declared academically ineligible and KimarioHentz pleased guilty to armed robbery.

Co-Lin has problems of its own but it isn’t associated withrules violations. The Wolves have been hit hard by injuries to analready depleted corps of offensive linemen. Sophomore tackle ChrisThigpen is recovering from a broken right hand. Freshman guardTerrell Showers underwent ankle surgery two weeks ago and is lostfor the season.

Head coach Phil Broome said his Wolves will make the best of arebuilding situation. They finished 5-5 last season, losing theirlast two games of the season to Gulf Coast and Southwestrespectively.

“We are so thin in our offensive line,” said Broome. “It is realscary.’

Broome said Northwest has an outstanding squad. “This could bethe best team they’ve ever had. Hopefully, we can stay on the fieldwith them.”

The Wolves are led by sophomore quarterback Denard Parks (6-0,180) of Miami, Fla. Parks passed for 991 yards and 6 touchdownslast year. He missed most of the Gulf Coast game and the seasonfinale due to an elbow injury.

“Things are looking pretty positive,” said Parks. “Our freshmanrunning backs are looking pretty good.”

Sophomore running back Andrew Burks (5-10, 185) of Hazlehursthas produced several strong performances during preseasonscrimmages. He was a backup to All-American tailback Ernest Pittslast season.

“Our young line needs a lot of work,” said Thigpen (6-4, 280),from Winnsboro, S.C. “This team has a lot of potential.”

OFFENSIVE STARTERS

Parks and Burks will be joined in the backfield byfreshman fullback Lorenzo Townsend (6-0, 195) of Monticello. Atwide receiver are Novack Traxler (5-1, 180) of Magee and GregCarter (5-9, 170) of Natchez.

Joining Thigpen in the offensive line are Willie Quarles(6-0, 260) of Brookhaven at center, Jared Williams (6-5, 280) ofGreenville, S.C. and Jessie Perkins (6-3, 265) of Brookhaven.Bradlon Huff (6-2, 240) will start at tight end.

“We still have to come together as a team,” saidQuarles.

Sophomore Matt Powers (5-10, 175) of Mendenhall is theteam’s placekicker.

DEFENSIVE STARTERS

All-state tackle Keeshan Lowe (6-3, 300) of Hazlehurstwill anchor the defensive line. He’s joined by James Smith (6-5,300) of Florida City, Fla., Jerry Slaughter (6-1, 260) of Atlanta,Ga., and Patrick Maye (5-11, 250) of Wesson in the frontline.

“We will be pretty strong on defense,” said Lowe. “Meand James Smith are coming back.”

At linebacker, Kamau Jackson (6-0, 240) of Atlanta is asophomore veteran. Also at linebacker are Jermaine May (5-10, 230)of Monticello and Ricky Funchess (6-1, 200) of Magee.

At defensive back, Johnny Rutherford (6-1, 180) ofAtlanta, Corey Murray (5-11, 175) of Hazlehurst, Aaron Pitts (6-0,180) of Monticello Marcus Winn (6-0, 185) are starting in thesecondary.

Sophomore Justin Spencer ( 6-1, 215) of Brookhaven (LoydStar) is the punter.

Wolf Tales: The Rangers whipped Co-Lin 44-8 last year atSenatobia. Northwest was a 45-6 winner in 1998. The two teamsweren’t scheduled for two years after Co-Lin won 12-7 in1995.