LAKELAND, Fla. – Turnovers plague Royals late in home opener. Warner offense ties record for most points scored in home opener in Royal history. For the first time in program history, Warner and Kentucky Christian met on the gridiron.
 
The Warner University Royals were fresh off of a bye week and hungry to avenge the rough season opener against #7 Georgetown College. The Kentucky Christian University Knights were also looking for revenge on the field as last week they fell to NCAA D-I Lamar University 70-7.

The Kentucky Christian Knights fired up their offensive attack in the first quarter by throwing up 20 quick points off three touchdowns, one of which the extra point attempt sailed wide. Two of their touchdowns were long connections from the Knights quarterback Jug Smith. Smith connected with Javin Harrison for 73 yards finding a seam up the middle. Just six minutes later, Smith hit Anton Wheeler in what looked like the same drawn up play, for 74 yards and a touchdown.

The Royals found the end zone off a power run from Deontae Bradley for 8 yards. Later in the first quarter, Royals quarterback Andre Tommie hit James A. Martin for a 59 yard connection and cut into the lead with the Royals trailing the Knights 14-20.

The Knights struck quickly in the second quarter off a Jakwon Roberts 2 yard run widening the lead to 14-27 Knights. A 7 yard pass from Jakwon Roberts to Devon McCoy put the Knights on the board again with a 34-14 lead over the Royals.

The Royals answered back going on a 13-0 run. Justin Dalton hit back to back field goals nailing his first from 43 yards out and his second, a chip shot from 17 yards out. Javon Wilson, hit a different gear in the second half extending rushing yards after contact and found his way in the end zone off a 3 yard scamper.

Minor setbacks for the Royals struck in the third quarter as Javin Harrison of the Knights planted a 3 yard run in the end zone and left the Royals trailing 27-41.

The Royals jumped within reach with 7:00 left on the clock, Ryan Grow threw a seed to Jeffrey Suarez that turned into a 77 yard touchdown. The Royals cut into the lead making it a 34-41 Knights lead. With 2:30 left in the game and the Royals driving, the Knights jumped in front of a pass from Grow for the interception. With 1:58 left on the clock and the Knights driving at the Royals 37 yard line, lightning struck as severe weather rolled in and caused almost a 2 hour delay. Upon return, the Royals defense stood strong and forced the turnover on downs, but another turnover would give the ball back to the Knights where they would run out the clock.