By: Sports Information Director, Kennedy Burks
LAKE WALES, Fla. – The 2026 season will forever be remembered as the year that Warner University Flag Football transformed from a rising contender into the standard of excellence in collegiate flag football.
In just the program's fifth season under Head Coach Tim Mimbs, the Royals delivered one of the most dominant campaigns in NAIA history, finishing a perfect 24-0 overall while going 10-0 in Sun Conference competition. Along the way, Warner captured the program's first-ever Sun Conference Regular Season Championship, Sun Conference Tournament Championship, and the University's first team National Championship in 53 years by winning the 2026 NAIA Inaugural Flag Football Invitational Championship.
From the opening whistle in February to the championship celebration in May, the Royals lived by one message that echoed throughout the season: "Leave no doubt."
And they did exactly that.
Warner overwhelmed opponents on both sides of the ball, outscoring the competition by a staggering 1,268-118 margin throughout the 2026 campaign. Whether it was dominant shutouts, explosive offensive performances, or gritty defensive battles decided by a single score, the Royals consistently found ways to rise to the occasion.
Their remarkable season featured multiple historic milestones:
- First-ever #1 ranking in the NAIA National Poll
- Maintained the #1 national ranking for the remainder of the season
- Nine Sun Conference Player of the Week honors
- Seven NAIA National Player of the Week recognitions
- First Sun Conference Regular Season Championship
- First Sun Conference Tournament Championship
- First NAIA National Championship
Warner's dominance was on full display throughout the regular season, recording multiple shutouts and victories over nationally-ranked NAIA opponents, NCAA programs, and conference rivals. The Royals defeated NCAA Division II Saint Leo University 81-0, NCAA Division I Alabama State University 89-7, and earned multiple victories over perennial powerhouse and nationally-ranked Keiser University.
The Royals closed the regular season by defeating then-#3 Keiser University 26-13 to secure the Sun Conference Regular Season Championship before capturing the conference tournament title weeks later with a 25-14 win over the Seahawks.
With momentum building, Warner entered the inaugural NAIA National Flag Football Invitational determined to finish the mission.
The Royals opened national tournament play with victories over #8 University of St. Francis (46-6) and #5 Baker University (33-19), before surviving an intense semifinal defensive battle against #3 Keiser University, 13-7.
On May 9, 2026, at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, Warner completed its storybook season with a 13-6 victory over #3 Keiser University in the NAIA National Flag Football Invitational Championship Game, securing the first team national championship in Warner University Athletics history since 1973.
A Program Built for Greatness
Warner University introduced Flag Football as a varsity sport in 2021, beginning a new chapter for Royals Athletics. One year later, Head Coach Tim Mimbs arrived with a vision to build one of the premier programs in the country.
Since taking over in 2022, Mimbs has guided the Royals to a historic 74-25 overall program record, producing a winning percentage of .747 while maintaining a winning season every single year; rightfully earning the honor of the 2026 Sun Conference Coach of the Year.
The 2026 championship season represented the culmination of years of growth, culture building, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Historic Individual Performances
The Royals' unforgettable season was fueled by one of the most talented rosters in the country, headlined by several of the NAIA's biggest playmakers.
Kathryn Hutchinson delivered one of the greatest quarterback seasons in NAIA history. The junior signal caller became the NAIA all-time leader in passing touchdowns while becoming the first player in NAIA history to throw for over 100 passing touchdowns in a single season. The 2026 NAIA All-American Sun Conference Tournament MVP, First-Team Tournament and Regular Season honoree, and Sun Conference Offensive Player of the Year led the nation in passing touchdowns, passing yards per game, completions, completion percentage, passing attempts, and total passing yards. Hutchinson surpassed 160 career passing touchdowns while earning multiple Sun Conference and NAIA National Player of the Week honors, cementing herself as one of the defining athletes in the emerging sport of collegiate flag football.
In her first season as a Royal, O'Mariah Gordon immediately became one of the nation's most dynamic two-way players. The NAIA Inaugural Flag Football Invitational MVP, All-American, and Sun Conference First Team Defensive and Second Team Offensive honoree recorded 941 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns while also contributing 55 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns offensively. Gordon added value on special teams with 106 punt return yards and even completed all three of her passing attempts for two touchdowns. Defensively, Gordon established herself as one of the top playmakers in the country, recording 34 flag pulls, 24 interceptions for 254 return yards, and 10 pass breakups while leading the nation in interceptions. Her ability to create momentum-changing plays on both sides of the ball proved critical in Warner securing both the Sun Conference and NAIA Invitational Championships.
Jessica Finley emerged as one of the nation's most complete athletes during the 2026 campaign. The Staten Island native led the nation with 1,907 receiving yards, 79.5 receiving yards per game, and 42 receiving touchdowns while averaging 11.4 yards per reception. Finley totaled 167 receptions on the season and consistently provided explosive offensive production for the Royals. Defensively, the NAIA All-American and Sun Conference Player of the Year added 40 flag pulls, 14 interceptions, 116 interception return yards, and seven pass breakups, including the game-sealing interception in the national championship victory over Keiser. Throughout the season, Finley proved to be one of the most dangerous and versatile players in collegiate flag football.
Freshman standout Avalon Lux-Offermann burst onto the national stage with one of the most impressive rookie campaigns in the country. The Sun Conference Freshman of the Year, NAIA All-American, and conference and national player of the week honoree led the nation with 194 total receptions while ranking second nationally with 1,735 receiving yards and 39 receiving touchdowns. Averaging 72.3 receiving yards per game, Lux-Offermann quickly became one of Warner's most reliable offensive threats. The Littleton, Colorado native immediately etched her name into the Warner record books while establishing herself as one of the brightest young stars in collegiate flag football.
Ana Vincensini once again demonstrated why she remains one of the most decorated players in Warner Flag Football history. The two-time Sun Conference Player of the Year and two-way First Team All-Conference honoree closed out the 2026 season among the national leaders in multiple categories. Vincensini ranked third nationally in receiving touchdowns with 30 while also tying teammate Jessica Finley for third nationally with 14 interceptions, including a pick-six during the season. Defensively, Vincensini continued to dominate with 115 solo tackles and 123 total tackles, ranking fifth nationally in both categories. Her veteran leadership, toughness, and playmaking ability remained instrumental throughout Warner's championship run.
Additional Key Contributors
Warner's championship roster was filled with impact players who consistently stepped up throughout the season. Senior rusher Lauren Clark remained a disruptive force on defense, recording 97 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, three interceptions, and a pick-six while consistently applying pressure to opposing offenses. Junior wide receiver Maggie Lauber made an immediate impact in her first season with the Royals, totaling 94 receptions for 1,188 yards and 27 receiving touchdowns, which ranked fourth nationally. Lauber also contributed in the return game and on the ground offensively. Rushers Marian Torrero Abrego and Adriana Williams anchored Warner's relentless pass rush throughout the season, combining for 47 sacks. Torrero finished fifth nationally with 23 sacks, while Williams ranked just ahead with 24 sacks and finished second nationally in sack yardage with 162.
2026: A Season Forever Remembered
The 2026 Warner Royals didn't simply win games—they established a dynasty-level standard for what collegiate flag football can become.
From program-first championships to national records, from undefeated dominance to unforgettable moments on the biggest stage, the Royals authored one of the greatest seasons in Warner University Athletics history.
Perfect at 24-0.
Sun Conference Champions.
NAIA National Champions.
History made.
.
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