LAKELAND, Fla. - Robert Reynolds had two interceptions including one on the final minutes to seal the fifth victory of the season for Warner University over Concordia College-Selma (Ala.) on Saturday afternoon at Vikings Stadium.  The Royals scored 17 points in the first half then held off the Hornets' second half charge for a 17-12 victory.  The win improves the Royals' record to 5-3 overall heading into next week's bye week.  The loss drops the Hornets to 1-7 on the season.

The Royals got off to a great start in the first quarter leading 10-0 after 15 minutes of action.  The Royals' first touchdown was set up after the Hornets misplayed a punt by Warner's Brian Abrams.  Roger Allen jumped on the loose ball at the Concordia 27 yard line.  Three plays later, Darrin Davis, Jr. connected with Richard Bostic for a 17 yard touchdown pass.

The Royals' defense forced a turnover on downs on Concordia's next possession and the Royals' offense went 48 yards in five plays setting up Abrams for a 33-yard field goal attempt.  Abrams nailed the kick and the Royals led 10-0 after one quarter.

Reynolds scored the Royals' second touchdown of the game in the second quarter when he intercepted Horatio Keller's pass and returned it 75 yards to the end zone.
At the half, the Royals led 17-0 over the Hornets.  The Royals had 140 yards of total offense while holding the Hornets to 89 total yards.

Coming out of the second half, the Royals' offense stalled and the Hornets took advantage scoring twice in the third quarter cutting the Royals' lead to 17-12.  In the quarter the Royals fumbled on the one yard line and had an interception returned for a touchdown against them.

As the Hornets continued to pressure the Royals in the fourth quarter, the Warner defense made a big stand on fourth down forcing a Hornets turnover on downs with 10:37 left in the game.  On the Hornets next possession, Reynolds intercepted his second pass of the game with just over a minute to go.  Running back Bryant Benton picked up one first down to secure the Royals' 17-12 victory.

By the Numbers:

• The Hornets are the first team that the Royals have beaten twice.  In their inaugural season in 2013, the Royals defeated Concordia 16-12.
• Offensively, the Royals finished with 285 yards of offense on 51 plays.  They had 193 yards passing and 92 yards on the ground.
• Darrin Davis, Jr. was 10-for-21 passing with one touchdown.  He also ran the ball 10 times for 25 yards.
• Bryant Benton rushed eight times for 42 yards.
• Jayvon Young was the leading pass catcher with two grabs for 68 yards.  Lester Lewis also caught two balls for 52 yards.
• The Royals' defense had a season-high eight tackles for loss totaling 24 yards in the game.  Anthony James led the way with two tackles in the Hornets' backfield.
• The Royals intercepted three passes in the game.  Robert Reynolds finished the game with two interceptions for 108 return yards.  Matt Williams had the other interception and returned it 20 yards.
• Loronza Smith was the Royals' leading tackler with 12 total tackles.  He also forced one fumble.

The Royals will enjoy their first open Saturday since early August next week and return to action on Nov. 8 on the road in their Sun Conference finale against Edward Waters College.  The Royals and Tigers will kickoff at 1 p.m. in Jacksonville, Fla.  The Royals are currently 3-1 in league play and sit atop the conference standings with three weeks remaining in the regular season.