Skyhawks Trounce Florida Memorial Lions 31-19

LANETT, Ala. - Powered by a four-touchdown passing performance from quarterback Corriah Williams and a game-changing punt return by Nyleigha Knighton on Thursday afternoon, the Point University Skyhawks bested the Florida Memorial Lions 31-19 in a SUN Conference matchup at Lanett High School.

Although Point grabbed the lead in the first quarter and never surrendered it, they had a modest start to the game offensively with the Lions forcing a turnover on downs to begin the game. The Skyhawks broke through with a nine-yard scoring reception to Aniyah Wesley before the failed PAT. Scoring six in the opening quarter, Point mirrored that in the second when Nyleigha Knighton broke loose on a 75-yard punt return. That doubled their advantage to 12-0 prior to an unsuccessful point after try.

In the third, Florida Memorial quarterback Miracle Washington fired a 35-yard pass to Mariella Morales to wipe their zero off the board and trim their deficit to 12-6. It was the Lions' longest pass of the day. Washington concluded 11-of-33 passing for 158 yards and three touchdowns while also adding 16 rushing yards, but Florida Memorial was limited to 193 total yards and just eight first downs.

Point erupted in the fourth quarter behind Williams and top target Keirra Thomas. Williams found Thomas for a 40-yard touchdown strike at 10:07 to push the lead to 18-6, then hit Leah Prather on a short pass with 7:00 remaining to make it 24-6. The Skyhawks continued to attack through the air, with Thomas again getting free for another 40-yard touchdown at the 4:40 mark, stretching the advantage to 30-6 after the successful conversion. Thomas closed the day with four receptions for 116 yards and two scores, including both 40-yard plays that busted the game open.

Williams finished 14-of-29 passing for 230 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions, directing a Point offense that largely abandoned the run but consistently found chunk plays downfield.

On the defensive side of the ball, Kenzie Phillian provided two of Point's three interceptions, with Keirra Thomas earning the other pickoff. Chinera Shaheed and Keirra Thomas matched each other's three passes broken up while Nyleigha Knighton tackled five carriers.

The Point Skyhawks' marathon week wraps up with a 2:00pm conference bout tomorrow against St. Thomas University. That will be back at River Bowl Stadium in West Point.