Box Score AVE MARIA, Fla.- Despite Hurricane Matthew going up the east coast of Florida, the Royals football team went down to Ave Maria to take on the Gyrenes in a conference match-up on Saturday. On a windy day, offense was scarce so the defense stepped up and played great to propell the Royals to a 20-14 victory.

The Gyrenes were able to get on the scoreboard first as they took back an interception 96 yards for the first touchdown of the game. However, in the second quarter, Steven Frost hit Jeff Suarez for a 49 yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7. Both teams had possession one more time before Ave Maria looked to score before halftime when they took over the ball with 5 minutes remaining. However, Ronnie Harris had other plans as he intercepted a Gyrenes pass and took it back 30 yards for a Warner touchdown and a 14-7 halftime lead. 

The second half was the Geness Kennedy show as he came out and in the third quarter and hit a 34 yard field goal to extend the Royals lead to 17-7. As the third quarter ended, the score remained the same and for much of the fourth. The Royals were threatening to get back in the end zone with 4 minutes left in the game when Kennedy nailed his second field goal of the game, this time from 27 yards out, to put Warner up 20-7. The game seemed to be in hand for the Royals but a 49 yard touchdown pass by the Gyrenes made the score 20-14 and put Ave Maria within one score of the lead. 

The Royals would get the ball back but a three and out would force a punt and give the Gyrenes the ball back with plenty of time on the clock. However, the Gyrenes couldn't stay away from the dreaded yellow flag and a personal foul penalty was called on them on the fourth down punt. This gave the Royals a first down and the ball. The Royals went through another set of downs and this time punted the ball to Ave Maria as they took over on thier own 8 yard line with only 19 seconds remaining in the game. The Gyrenes would throw four consecutive incomplete passes to run out the clock and give the Royals the 20-14 win. The Royals would improve to 3-2 (2-1) on the season.

Warner was led offensively by Steven Frost who finished 9-20 for 138 yards and a touchdown. On the ground the Royals were paced by Jerome Lindo who had 12 attempts for 89 yards. Jeff Suarez would lead Warner receiving with 4 catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. Defensively the Royals were led by Ronnie Harris who recorded 4 tackles but had 2 interceptions and brought one back for a touchdown and by Emmanuel Bien Aime who had 11 tackles and a forced fumble.

Warner is back home Saturday October 15 at 12 pm against Virginia University at Lynchburg. Game will be played at Legion Field in Lake Wales.