The Selma Times-Journal

Shepard Skanes has set a very attainable goal for his first-year Concordia College Hornets football team – play in the conference championship, both of them.

Concordia is a probationary member of the NAIA school and competes in the Southeastern Athletic Conference. The Hornets are also a full member of the United States College Athletic Association where they compete in the Southern Conference.

The Hornets are currently 2-2 on the season and have wins in both conferences, a SEAC win over Allen University and then a Southern thrashing of Atlantic College. This weekend, the Hornets will face their biggest challenge of the season when they play host to the Webber International Warriors from Miami.

The Warriors are ranked No. 16 in the NAIA’s top 40 rankings. Concordia with a 2-2 record in their first year as a program is ranked No. 25 in that same poll. The Hornets, however, haven’t lost an NAIA game.

Concordia comes into Saturday’s game stinging from a 24-23 loss to the Majors of Millsaps College in Mississippi.

Although the loss was controversial, having two Concordia touchdowns called back in the third and fourth quarters thanks to questionable calls, the Hornets were forced to accept it.

Skanes wants Saturday’s game to be in the hands of his players and not the officials.

The Warriors will match-up with the Hornets high-octane passing attack by running a 3-35 stack defense. Basically, the visitors from south Florida will only be rushing three linemen and dropping eight back in coverage, but will be sending stunts and blitzes from all over the field.

Their offense is just as wide open as their defense.

Despite what may appear to be a mismatch, Skanes is confident in both his offense and his defense for Saturday’s game.

Playing the game in Selma could benefit the homestanding Hornets.

Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 1 p.m., and will be played at Selma’s Memorial Stadium. For ticket information, contact Concordia College at 874-5700.

Skanes: