THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University flag football team is in search of a strong weekend, as the Night Hawks travel to Tampa, Fla. Saturday to face the Webber International Warriors and Warner Royals on neutral turf for a pair of SUN matches.
 
TU (3-1, 2-1 SUN) comes off a humbling trip in Miami Gardens, Fla., falling to St. Thomas 7-6 in an overtime heartbreaker before surviving Florida Memorial 27-18 right after. 
 
Against STU, both sides failed to capitalize in regulation in a defensive slugfest that saw no quarterback throw for more than 100 yards.  Junior Shelby Hartley went 15-for-26, throwing 93 yards and two interceptions.  Discipline was an Achilles' Heel for the Green & White, racking up over 60 yards in penalties.  Despite the shortcomings, TU managed to drive the ball down into the red zone on a few occasions.
 
In the second game of the day against FMU, Thomas threw for 155 yards and a score with two interceptions between four, different throwers.  Freshman Quarterback Kiana Acol was more effective on the ground than through the air, taking 11 carries for 67 with three touchdowns.  Defensively, the Night Hawks limited the Lions to 23 yards rushing with a score and 89 yards passing with two touchdowns.
 
The Night Hawks intend to strike like lightning at the Buccaneers' Girls Flag Football Preseason Classic in one of the lightning capitals of the country.  TU will once again play a back-to-back doubleheader, first taking on Webber International (1-3, 1-3 SUN) before completing its first round of robin of SUN play against Warner (3-1, 3-1 SUN). 
 
Since its run to the NAIA National semifinals back in May, the Warriors have struggled to capture its same magic after losing its defensive force in RayGene Garner, allowing nearly 19 points per game.  Offensively, the Warriors have had to rely on Freshman Samantha Wilson as the primary quarterback under center as Sophomore Quarterback Sierra Harris has not registered stats since the team's season opener against Florida Memorial.  Against Keiser last time out, Wilson completed 27 of 36 passes for 215 yards and two strikes and two picks.  On the ground, the Tallahassee, Fla. native picked up three rushing yards.
 
After seeing its inaugural season canceled one month in, Warner has bounced back with vengeance in 2022, blazing out to a 3-1 start in conference play, posting double-digit scoring margins in all three victories.  Madison Tingen leads the Royals' offense with a 58.5% completion rate, throwing for 624 yards and seven touchdowns on the season.  Freshman Cynthia Homs has produced some offense for the Navy & Gold with 183 receiving yards and two touchdowns on the season, but the Lecanto, Fla. native is best known for her defensive play.  The Week 1 SUN Defensive Player of the Week has 26 flag pulls on the season with three picks for 40 yards.
 
Kickoff against Webber International is set for 2 p.m. as game time against Warner is scheduled for 4 p.m.  Both contests will be played on the Buccaneers' Practice Field 1.  Video for both games has yet to be determined; stay tuned for more details.
 
For up-to-date information on games and other TU Athletics, visit http://www.TUNightHawks.com. Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, play-by-play, and feature stories of your TU women's flag team by following them via Twitter and/or Instagram at @NightHawksWFlag.