Warner Defeats Keiser to Claim First NAIA Flag Football Title

The Warner Royals (FL) completed the perfect season by defeating the Keiser Seahawks (FL) 13-6 in the 2026 NAIA Invitational Championship Game. It was a near carbon copy of the meeting on Friday, where Keiser took a lead only to see Warner escape with the victory.

The Warner offense made most of the headlines during the season, but it was the defense that ultimately allowed them to claim the title and finish 24-0. Jessica Finley had two crucial interceptions in the fourth quarter that set up the winning touchdown and sealed the victory.

Keiser started the scoring in the opening championship game with Ava Wallace finding Ashlea Klam open in the end zone. The extra point try was intercepted to keep Keiser's lead at 6-0. The Seahawks had a chance to extend the lead to double digits from the 2-yard line, but Andrea Castillo intercepted the ball in the end zone to end the threat.

Warner could not get a first down and had to punt for the third time in the first half. Keiser had a big return to set them up again for another scoring opportunity. Like the previous drive, Keiser failed to get points when Olivia Rijo couldn't hold on to the pass on fourth-and-goal. Keiser had a third chance at the end of the half, but Maggie Lauber sacked Wallace to keep the deficit at 6-0.

The second half started defensively, with Warner finally making progress into the red zone. Facing fourth-and-goal from the 9, Kathryn Hutchinson overthrew the receiver, but Keiser was called for a penalty. Two players later, O'Mariah Gordon found Lauber on a drag route to tie the game at 6. The extra point try resulted in a sack to keep the game knotted at 6.

Keiser moved the ball into Warner territory on the ensuing drive, but was stopped on fourth down outside the red zone. Warner made methodical progress after the stop. The Royals got into the red zone and were facing a third and long when Keiser was hit with an illegal contact penalty. Despite the new set of downs, Warner was unable to get into the end zone.

Keiser took over on downs with less than five minutes remaining. Jessica Finley undercut a deep route, tipped the ball, and made a diving catch to get the ball back with under three minutes left. Warner would cash in on that turnover with Hutchinson finding Ana Vincensini inside the pylon. The extra point was converted to make it a 13-6 lead with 1:42 remaining. Keiser moved down the field in an attempt to score, but it was Finley with another pick to clinch the first national championship in school history.

Warner and Keiser battled twice before the NAIA Invitational. Warner won the first game 26-13 to end the regular season on Saturday, April 11. Two weeks later, Warner won 25-14 in the Sun Conference Championship Game to claim the #1 seed in the NAIA's tournament.

On Friday, it looked like Keiser might finally break through. Keiser scored in the first quarter on Ava Wallace's 2-yard run to make it 7-0. Warner scored late in the second quarter but failed to convert the extra point, making it 7-6. Keiser's defense nearly held on the rest of the way, but O'Mariah Gordon's 1-yard touchdown reception put Warner in the Championship Game.

While Keiser fell short for the fourth time in six years, the Sun Conference finally won the NAIA's flag football championship. Somewhat ironically, it was actually another KCAC team that forced Ottawa University (KS) to relinquish its five-time defending crown. Kansas Wesleyan had just given up a touchdown and fell behind 13-12 in the final minute, but stunned the Braves with a score of its own. Chihiro Iwata's 32-yard touchdown strike over the safeties and into the arms of Jenise Washington sent the Coyotes to the semifinals.

Unfortunately for KWU, Keiser was intent on making the Championship Game. The Seahawks won 47-28, thanks to 5 touchdown passes from Wallace, with four of those going to Janasia Wilson.

This year's tournament was the first time the NAIA held an Invitational Tournament. The NAIA bylaws require two years of an Invitational Tournament and at least 30 varsity teams before it can become a Championship Sport. The sport is well on its way to that status by the 2027-28 academic year, pending approval from the NAIA's National Administrative Council (NAC).