Small School Wrap-up: Rangers coast to second straight victory

By The Associated Press<br>Garin Higgins is settling right in as coach of the NAIA's national champion football team.<br><br>Higgins, who took over the Northwestern Oklahoma job when Tim Albin left

Monday, September 4th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

By The Associated Press
Garin Higgins is settling right in as coach of the NAIA's national champion football team.

Higgins, who took over the Northwestern Oklahoma job when Tim Albin left to become an assistant at Nebraska, has guided the Rangers to two easy victories to start the season.

Northwestern followed its 67-0 victory over Panhandle State with a 49-7 victory over East Central on Saturday.

The game was tied at 7 after one quarter, and from then on it was all Northwestern. The Rangers finished with 353 yards rushing, compared with just 78 for East Central.

His players asked Higgins to throw more often after East Central tied the score, but he declined.

"I told them we need to keep hitting them in the mouth," Higgins said. "We're going to stick with what got us here."

Matt Walter scored on three short runs, and quarterback Al Hunt ran for 145 yards and threw for 131 more.

Also Saturday, Northeastern State opened its season with a 33-15 victory over Missouri Southern. Damian Everette led the way for the Redmen, running for 104 yards and three touchdowns on just 10 carries.

I've never had a line this good," said Everette, who had 102 yards and two TDs in the first half. "I was a little rusty, but hopefully I will get better the next few weeks."

Everette, a junior, returned to NSU after sitting out the past two seasons. He split time with Jason Broom, who scored on a 48-yard run, and Adrien Daniels.

Southwestern Oklahoma opened its season with a 16-9 road victory over Adams State, Colo. The big play for the Bulldogs was a 64-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Southeastern Oklahoma lost at home to Southern Arkansas, 28-15. The Savages gave up 148 yards rushing to quarterback Timothy Barrington and another 122 to halfback Forrest Curry.