LAKELAND, Florida -- In a "must-win" game to keep pace in the Mid-South Conference Sun Division standings, Edward Waters (3-3, 1-1 MSC Sun) starting quarterback Derrick Jones scored on a one-yard quarterback keeper for the game-winning touchdown in overtime to defeat the Royals of Warner University (0-5, 0-1 MSC Sun), 33-30 in a thriller at Viking Stadium on the campus of Lakeland Christian School.
Warner opened the scoring in the first quarter, taking the opening drive down the field and settled for a Justin Dalton 29-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Richard Montgomery went 95 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown to give EWC their first lead of the day at 7-3 with 8:36 remaining in the quarter.
The Royals took the lead back with one minute left in the quarter off the strength of an 87-yard pass from starting QB Andre Tommie to WR Jeffery Suarez to lead 10-7.
Edward Waters came back with a 58 yard touchdown pass from Jones to David Beeks. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Beeks forced EWC to kick a long extra point which was blocked and the Tigers led 13-10.
WU ended the first half with an 11 point fade route to WR Theodore Hammonds with :12 left to take a 17-13 lead going into the locker room.
The Tigers opened the second half scoring with the first of three touchdown runs by Derrick Jones with 9:09 left in the third quarter to retake the lead at 20-17 lead.
Warner would not go away as Ralph Hughey scored on a 21-yard touchdown run to take a 24-20 lead with 5:28 remaining in the third.
Justin Dalton connected on his second field goal, this time from 27 yards out to extend their advantage to 27-20.
Going into the fourth quarter of this seesaw contest, with 4:15 remaining in regulation, Derrick Jones scored on a six yard TD run to tie the contest at 27-27.
Neither team could score in regulation and thus, the contest went to overtime. Edward Waters won the toss and elected to go on defense to start the extra session.
Justin Dalton connected on another field goal to take a 30-27 lead in OT, forcing Edward Waters to either score a field goal to tie, or a touchdown to win.
On first down, Jones scampered 24 yards to the Royals' one-yard line to set up 1st and Goal from the one. Jones did the honors on the next snap, to give EWC one of their most memorable victories in recent history and close out their four-game road trip, going 3-1.
Jones finished the day going 12-22 passing, for 229 yards and one touchdown. The former Lee General also added 18 carries for 116 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Corey Hammett also had another solid day in the backfield for Edward Waters, with 18 carries for 89 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry for the freshman from Miami Northwestern.
David Beeks led the Tigers in receiving with four catches for 86 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Kennard Mahone led Edward Waters with eight total tackles, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. Christian Hayes also chipped in with six total tackles and several pass breakups.
Edward Waters will finally return home to Jacksonville next Saturday, October 13th where they will host Faulkner in another Mid-South Conference Sun Division matchup. Kickoff is set for 4:00pm at the University Christian School Football Complex. It is the "Breast Cancer Awareness" game and all fans are encouraged to wear pink in their support of the fight against Breast Cancer.
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EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
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