The Southeastern Louisiana Steel Sharks won the King Bowl, the Southern American Football League’s Championship with a 41-16 victory over the Westbank Warriors Sunday at Lakeshore High School.

“It felt great,” coach Ron McCaleb said. “It really hasn’t kicked in on me yet (as of Monday). It was a great job by the players and coaching staff, getting prepared for every game this season. It felt like a big lift was off my shoulders. Some of the guys were saying that we better get a championship for all of the hard work we’re putting in.”

McCaleb was named the league’s Coach of the Year for the second-straight year and he did with two different teams. Last year, he headed up the Louisiana Blazing Bulldogs, based out of Hammond.

The Southern Louisiana Steel Sharks celebrate their Southern American Football League title following Sunday’s 41-16 victory over the Westbank Warriors at Lakeshore High.

Steel Sharks’ quarterback Brandon Newman was named the League’s MVP and received the award at halftime. Sunday, he didn’t disappoint. Newman accounted for five touchdowns, three passing and two running.

He talked about his big day.

“I felt a lot of pressure going into the game, but we all came through just fine,” Newman said.

The next step for the 12-0 Steel Sharks, a semi-pro team based out of Slidell, is a trip to Atlanta to take on the Southern Football League Champion Forest Park Vikings (9-3). The contest is scheduled for Nov. 14.

Southeastern Louisiana got on the board first as Newman tallied his initial touchdown with a 43-yard scramble. The extra point was blocked and the Steel Sharks led 6-0 with 10:23 left in the first quarter.

On their next possession, Southeastern Louisiana was backed up near its goal line. Brandon Moreau, a Slidell High graduate was at quarterback. The snap went over his head and he kicked it out of the end zone for a safety to make it 6-2.

Following the free kick, Westbank went on a drive that culminated with a three-yard run. With a successful two-point conversion, the Warriors had a 10-6 lead.

Midway through the second period, Southeastern Louisiana went back on top when Newman threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to Johnny Thomas. Kendrick Perry ran in the two-pointer, upping the lead to 14-10.

Neither team scored again until near the end of the half when Newman hooked up with Eugene Varnado from 64-yards out. Perry again converted the two-pointer and the Steel Sharks had a 22-10-halftime advantage.

Early in the third quarter, Southeastern Louisiana’s defense got into the scoring act when William Knighten and Thaddeus Williams combined on a sack. The Warriors’ quarterback fumbled. Williams picked up the loose ball and tallied a 27-yard TD. The unsuccessful PAT kept the score at 28-10 with 10:44 left.

The Warriors came back with a touchdown pass. The two-pointer was no good and it was 28-16 after the third.

In the fourth quarter, the Steel Sharks essentially sealed the victory when Newman and Thomas made another connection, this one from 71 yards. The extra point was no good, but Southeastern Louisiana had a 34-16 margin. With about 5:30 remaining, the Steel Sharks put up the final points on a 37-yard Newman scramble. L.J. Dauhtry, an Archbishop Hannan graduate, hit the PAT to cap a 41-16 victory.

Steel Sharks’ general manager Lee Hillman expressed his enjoyment his team winning the title.

“For myself I have waited eight years for this chance,” Hillman said. “We are the only team in league history to go undefeated all season and win the championship. I owe the credit to our coaching staff and all the hard work from our players. Our team had the never give up attitude and the hearts of gold.”