BABSON PARK, Fla. — The Webber International University football team dropped a 36-31 decision to Warner University Saturday afternoon in the 2026 Battle of Crooked Lake at Warrior Turf Field, falling in its first Sun Conference matchup of the season.
The Warriors (2-3, 0-1 SUN) jumped on the Royals early, scoring three touchdowns in the opening quarter to take a 21-17 lead.
D'Markus Mathis opened the scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run on Webber's opening possession, and
Kendall Johnson followed just 1:28 later with a 75-yard touchdown reception from
Trent Grotjan to give the Warriors a 14-3 advantage.
After Warner answered with a pair of scores to take a 17-14 lead, Webber regained the advantage late in the first when Grotjan connected with
Terrell Holt for a 12-yard touchdown with 40 seconds remaining.
Grotjan added a 6-yard rushing touchdown early in the second quarter, extending Webber's lead to 28-17.
Warner cut into the deficit with a rushing touchdown midway through the quarter, but
Tyler Sapp added a 25-yard field goal with 1:06 remaining in the half to send the Warriors into the break with a 31-24 advantage.
Warner rallied in the third quarter, scoring twice to take a 36-31 lead. Mark Hanniford's 27-yard touchdown reception brought the Royals within one before Joshua Dudley's 1-yard touchdown run gave Warner the lead with 1:34 remaining in the quarter.
Neither team scored in the fourth quarter as Warner held on to secure the rivalry victory.
Grotjan finished 10-of-14 passing for 197 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown. Johnson led the Warriors through the air with two receptions for 91 yards, including his 75-yard touchdown.
Mathis paced Webber on the ground with 48 yards and a touchdown on three carries, highlighted by a 52-yard run.
Quinton Moore added 26 rushing yards on two attempts.
Defensively,
Javier Frazier led the Warriors with six tackles and added a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
Aaron Williams recorded five tackles, including a sack, while
Matthew Smiciklas added two tackles and intercepted a Warner pass for 13 yards.
Webber finished the afternoon with 312 total yards, including 197 through the air and 115 on the ground. The Warriors also held a 29:01-28:35 advantage in time of possession.
Warner finished with 416 total yards, including 344 passing yards, as Traven Green completed 24 of 36 passes for 344 yards and a touchdown.
With the loss, Webber falls to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in SUN Conference play.
The Warriors return to Warrior Turf Field next Saturday, October 10, welcoming Ave Maria University for Homecoming.
Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. as Webber looks to bounce back and continue SUN Conference play in front of the home crowd.
For more information on Webber International University Athletics, visit
www.webberathletics.com.
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