Staff Report

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Concordia would have preferred to take a more direct route to the South East Conference Championship.

But a team in need will take any help it can get.

The Hornets (2-8) lost 24-21 to Edward Waters College, but they were still winners of the league title by virtue of a tiebreaker.

“I wanted to win the thing outright,” Concordia coach Shepherd Skanes said. “But when the sun is shining on you, the sun is shining on you. When you go 2-8 and win a conference championship the sun must be shining on you.”

Webber International’s two-point win over Edward Waters combined with Concordia’s 11-point win over Webber gave the Hornets the crown despite their three-point loss Saturday.

Going with incumbent Anthony Gibson at quarterback instead of converted receiver Eric Taylor looked like a mistake after the second half.

Concordia led 14-9, but a pair of interceptions allowed the Tigers (5-5) to get back in the game.

Gibson settled in and hit Taylor for a 37-yard pass to cut the team’s deficit to three points.

On the last play of the game, Gibson hit running back A.J. Ward in the back of the end zone for what appeared to be the game-winning touchdown. However, one of the officials ruled it an incompletion. After a conference, it was ruled the pass was incomplete and the game was over.

Gibson also threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Cornish and an 18-yard pass to John Halman in the first half.

“I’m proud of Anthony Gibson,” Skanes said. “The way he came back with everyone in the stadium down on him and worked through adversity was incredible. He sat in the pocket and threw the ball. All in all, I’m proud of all the guys.

“Now we have to work a little more and get ready for Miles College.”