Steelsharks down the Gladiators

St. Tammany Steelshark running back and 2005 Pearl River graduate Steven Sylvas ran for 139 yards on 12 carries and a score, helping his team to a 24-7 blowout win over the New Orleans Gladiators on Aug. 23 at William Pitcher Junior High School.

Sylvas, who missed the last game to attend his daughter Ayanna’s third birthday party, said he felt good once things got going.

“I was a little rusty, but once we got moving they couldn’t stop us from moving it,” Sylvas said.

The Steelsharks improved to 4-1 and tied for third place and were off this week. New Orleans, who went to the title game last year before losing to the Lake Charles Riverkats, 26-6, fell to 3-1-1.

St. Tammany got off to a good start and led 12-0 at halftime.

The Steelsharks opened the scoring when quarterback Jesse Williams snuck in from 1-yard out to give his team a 6-0 lead.

In the second period, Corey Hurt gave St. Tammany a 12-0 advantage when he rushed into the end zone from four yards away.

New Orleans spoiled the shutout in the third quarter when they took the opening kickoff and scored on a 7-yard carry, making it 12-7.

The Steelsharks got the double-digit cushion back when quarterback Dustin Moreau scored on a 5-yard bootleg.

In the fourth, Sylvas sealed the contest when he hit pay dirt on a 7-yard run.

Steelshark coach Cory Warren said he was happy with his team’s performance.

“I thought we executed perfectly,” Warren said. “The offense stepped it up. It was one of the best games of the season.”