Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming football season in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference. The season kicks off on Thursday, Aug. 27 and concludes on Thursday, Oct. 29. There is a new schedule format this season as the football season will consist of 10 regular season games with all teams adding one extra non-division game and the schedules are set up for each team to have five home games and five away games. Like the past two seasons, there will not be a league wide bye week in the middle of the season. This year’s MACCC football playoffs will consist of an MACCC Championship Game between the North and South Division regular-season champs. All team schedules in the MACCC can be found here.
North Division
Coahoma Tigers
Head Coach: Larry Williams
2025 Record: 1-8, 1-5 MACCC North.
Outlook: There will be a lot of new faces in key spots especially at the skill positions for the Tigers this season on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Coahoma has quarterback Jacob Clapton back to lead the offense along with three offensive linemen to lead up front in Darrion Gould, JaSean Miller, and Cameron Chambers. All running backs and receivers will be new. Defensive back Xavion Henderson and defensive lineman Brandon Mitchell will lead the defense.
Season opener: Aug. 27 at Mississippi Gulf Coast
East Mississippi Lions
Head Coach: Buddy Stephens
2025 Record: 7-3, 5-1 MACCC North.
Outlook: The Lions earned their 12th division crown last season under Coach Stephens and are looking to add to that total in 2026. Quarterback Trey Irving returns to lead the offense after passing for 1,172 yards with seven touchdowns and rushed for 626 yards and five touchdowns. Christian Thomas is back as the top receiver after recording 43 catches for 484 yards last season. Auburn transfer Duke Smith will also be a target at receiver. Julian Jakobe returns as the top offensive lineman and will lead up front. Coffeyville Community College transfer Daniel Davis will also be a factor on the offensive line. The nations top rated linebacker Ja’Cari Owens is back to help lead the defense after recorded 61 tackles last season. Defensive tackle Kindal Moorehead, the nations third-ranked defensive tackle, returns to lead up front after recording 14 tackles last season. Mississippi State transfer Lo’Kavion Jackson and Old Dominion transfer Charleston Floyd will lead the back end at defensive back.
Season opener: Aug. 27 at Southwest
Holmes Bulldogs
Head Coach: Marcus Wood
2025 Record: 3-6, 3-3 MACCC North.
Outlook: Offense wasn’t the issue for the Bulldogs last season as they averaged 29.7 points per game. Three starters are back on offense, but Holmes will be breaking in a new quarterback that hasn’t been named. There will be plenty of skill positions guys to rely in running backs DeCorey Knight and Jeramiah Miller along with receivers Dalyn Jackson, Tyran Mosley, Jamarius Grayer, and KrisJeohn Burks. Offensive line will be led by Anquan Moore, Quan Bland, Nathan Kelly, and Don McGee. Defense is where Holmes struggled last season allowing 31 points per game. Bulldogs have four starters back on defense that will lean on defensive linemen Tyricco Henderson and Jamoris Davis along with linebackers Eddie Holly and Ekeeleum Grant and defensive backs Nicholas Kilpatrick and Ja’Marion Bennett.
Season opener: Aug. 27 at Pearl River
Itawamba Indians
Head Coach: Travis Macon
2025 Record: 5-4, 4-2 MACCC North.
Outlook: There will be a lot of new faces on both sides of the ball for the Indians in 2026. The offensive line will be the strength for ICC, while team speed there will be the strength on offense especially at the running back spots. New starters at all skill positions that will feature transfers with previous college experience. Defensively there are eight contributors back, including seven on the defensive line which will be the strength along with the linebacker spot. The secondary is the primary question heading into the season for the Indians.
Season opener: Aug. 27 at Hinds
Mississippi Delta Trojans
Head Coach: Jermaine Smith
2025 Record: 0-9, 0-6 MACCC North.
Outlook: The Trojans begin the Jermaine Smith era after Tavares Johnson, Sr. stepped down after three seasons and is looking to rebound after a winless season in 2025.
Season opener: Aug. 27 at Copiah-Lincoln
Northeast Tigers
Head Coach: Greg Davis
2025 Record: 5-4, 3-3 MACCC North.
Outlook: The Tigers started off hot going 3-0 but finished the season going 2-4, but like everywhere else Northeast will be breaking in a new quarterback, running backs, and an entire new offensive line. Three starters are back on offense and they’re all receivers. Isaiah Cobbs (21 catches, 210 yards, 1 touchdown in 2025), Charles Stevenson, and tight end Brooks Wallis will be key targets in the passing game. Defensively, the Tigers have two starters back in Antonio Parker and Jeb Bolen in the secondary to lead the back end. The defensive front should be the strength of the defense anchored by Tennessee commit Christian Mays (17 tackles, 1 sack last season) and J’Cameron Riley (19 tackles). Jerone Baskin will look to lead the linebacker core.
Season opener: Aug. 27 vs. East Central
Northwest Rangers
Head Coach: Benjy Parker
2025 Record: 10-1, 5-1 MACCC North.
Outlook: The Rangers are coming off their second consecutive MACCC championship last season and once again have high hopes of lifting that trophy again in November. A lot of new faces on both sides of the ball for the Rangers this season. Head coach Benjy Parker has won four MACCC championships in six seasons as head coach.
Season opener: Aug. 27 at Jones College
South Division
Copiah-Lincoln Wolves
Head Coach: Micah Davis
2025 Record: 8-1, 5-1 MACCC South.
Outlook: The expectation for the Wolves is to compete for the South Division again after being co-champions last season with Gulf Coast. Offensively, Co-Lin has three starters back on offense led by quarterback Jaylen Pettway, who passed for 1,319 yards with 10 touchdowns and added two rushing touchdowns last season. Jermarj Bell is back as the top target at receiver and is also very dynamic as the returner on kick offs and punts. Jaquan Bentley, Kendarious Porter, and Caiden Quarles will lead the ground game at running back. Offensive tackle Antrale Newson is the only returning starter up front, but LSU transfer Khayree Lee will also help up front. Defensively, the Wolves have just one starter back in defensive back Mike Williams to lead the secondary. Linebackers Daniel Watkins (31 tackles last season) and Josh Lane will help anchor the front seven. Josiah Vaughn (26 tackles in 2025) and Bethune-Cookman transfer Hunt Tatem will also help lead the secondary at defensive back.
Season opener: Aug. 27 vs. Mississippi Delta
East Central Warriors
Head Coach: Jonathan Webster
2025 Record: 3-6, 3-3 MACCC South.
Outlook: After reaching the MACCC championship game in 2024 the Warriors finished fourth in the MACCC South division last year. ECCC will be breaking in a new quarterback but will lean on veterans to help carry the offense in offensive lineman Robert McMillian and receiver Waymond Jenerrette. The secondary will be the strength of the defense led by Petey Leech, Jalen Anderson, and Jalyas Winters. There will be new faces up front in the front seven.
Season opener: Aug. 27 at Northeast
Hinds Eagles
Head Coach: Chris Jones
2025 Record: 6-3, 4-2 MACCC South.
Outlook: The Eagles missed the playoffs by one game last year and are eager to make the next step in the second year under Chris Jones. Hinds will look to be explosive once again on offense led by quarterback Jaylon Ruffin, who passed for 1,985 yards with 17 touchdowns and rushed for 522 yards and seven touchdowns. Receivers Braishun Forbes (29 catches, 521 yards, 5 touchdowns in 2025), Detraun Brown (320 yards, 4 touchdowns), and Kiandre Terry are back as the top targets on the outside. There will be a lot of new faces at running back and the offensive line. On defense, the Eagles were one of the top defenses in the country last season and will lean on overall team speed.
Season opener: Aug. 27 vs. Itawamba
Jones College Bobcats
Head Coach: Lytrel Pollard
2025 Record: 5-4, 2-4 MACCC South.
Outlook: The Bobcats look to end a three-year playoff drought in the second full year under Pollard. Offensively, Jones has four starters back that will lean on quarterback Jevarion Glover, who passed for 1,189 yards with five touchdowns and ran for 539 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Kaiden Smith and Tyree Barnett are back as the top targets at receiver. Nylun Williams is back at left tackle to lead the offensive line. Defensively, the Bobcats also bring back four starters that will lean on linebackers Delarrius Hayes, who lead the team in tackles last year with 60 and had nine tackles for loss, and Ny’zavion McClendon, who had 36 tackles and five tackles for loss last season. Defensive backs Arterus Moffett (44 tackles, five tackles, four pass break-ups) and Kelton McLaurin will lead the back end.
Season opener: Aug. 27 vs. Northwest
Mississippi Gulf Coast Bulldogs
Head Coach: Jack Wright
2025 Record: 9-2, 5-1 MACCC South.
Outlook: The Bulldogs ended up as the No. 2 seed out of the South Division last season and reached the MACCC championship game before falling to Northwest. MGCCC looks to once again make another run in 2026. Parker Nettles and Arkansas State transfer Josh Flowers are battling for the quarterback spot. Running back Elijah Jones-Crosby is back to lead the run game after rushing for 473 yards and three touchdowns last season. Receiver Royale Shelvy returns as the top target along with Western Kentucky transfer Damari Jefferson. Shelvy caught 20 passes for 426 yards and five touchdowns last season. Damarion Glenn is back to help lead the offensive line. Defensive tackle Paris Evans, an Ole Miss transfer, and linebacker Sha’Mar Sawyer (39 tackles last season) will help lead the front seven. The secondary will be the strength of the defense with the return of Tristan Anderson, Kam Kynard, and La’Zeric Johnson. Arkansas State transfers Demarcus Baker and Sammy Watkins will also be factors in the secondary.
Season opener: Aug. 27 vs. Coahoma
Pearl River Wildcats
Head Coach: Seth Smith
2025 Record: 1-8, 0-6 MACCC South.
Outlook: The Wildcats are aiming to turn things around after a rough 1-8 campaign in 2025. Nicholls transfer Jackson Firmin will look to lead the offense at quarterback, while receivers Cory Jackson and Donovan McGowan will look to be the top targets. Jackson was the MACCC South Division Specialist of the Year last season and McGowan had 21 catches for 284 yards and a touchdown last year. Bradley Merchant, Dawson Kennedy, and Brandon White will lead the offensive line. Defense should be a bright spot with a lot of returners and newcomers. Linebacker Amarion Tyson will look to lead the front seven, while Kesler Jenkins, Tre’Von Deans, and Jonivan Edwards are back to lead the secondary. The defensive front will have several newcomers in Louisiana transfer De’Antonia Lesuer, Florida transfer Stephon Shivers, Central Florida transfer Isiah McNish, and Memphis transfer Taccofah Lewis.
Season opener: Aug. 27 vs. Holmes
Southwest Bears
Head Coach: Les George
2025 Record: 3-6, 2-4 MACCC South.
Outlook: The Bears look to continue to build momentum in the second year under Les George as head coach after going 3-6 and 2-4 in division play last season.
Season opener: Aug. 27 vs. East Mississippi
