The Southern American Football League Champions and the Southern Football Champions met up at Kiwania Stadium in Forest Park, Ga., last Saturday for the Southeastern Football Alliance National Championship.

The Southern Louisiana Steel Sharks captured a 20-14-overtime victory against the Forest Park Vikings.

Quarterback Brandon Newman was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Newman, Perry hook up for OT victory in Southeastern Football Alliance National title

The Steel Sharks, a semi-pro football team based out of Slidell, caps a 13-0 year.

The game was tied 14-14 after regulation. The overtime rules are like the National Football League. The first team to score wins.

In overtime, Newman connected with Kendrick Perry in the back of the end zone for the game-winning score.

Steel Sharks’ general manager Lee Hillman, who’s had the team for all eight years, said the 13-0 season was more than he could have ever asked for.

“We have been blessed to have the great coaching staff and talented players this year.” Hillman said. “I myself have always had this dream and for my wife and to have this kind of season means the world for all our hard work the last eight years. To see our players and coaches faces after winning two championships says it all. It feels good to be part of peoples dream and have giving them a chance to fill their dream. It’s always hard to travel on the road as a team and win such a big game.”

The Vikings got out to the early lead, scoring a touchdown pass just 1:30 into the game. The extra point made it 7-0.

With 4:45 left in the period, Southeastern Louisiana got ahead for the first time when Kendrick Perry ran for a seven-yard score. He also provided the two-point conversion to make it 8-7. Perry signed with the Alaska Wild of the Indoor Football League.

It stayed that way through halftime, but in the third quarter, the Steel Sharks added to their lead. Newman hit Lazedrick Cowart for a 60-yard touchdown pass. The two-point attempt failed and it was 14-7 at the 6:10 mark.

In the fourth quarter, the Vikings defense came up with a big play as they returned a fumble 85 yards to pay dirt.

The PAT knotted the game at 14-14, sending it to overtime.

The next stop is the SAFL against SFL all-star game Saturday in New Orleans’ Pan American Stadium.

The Steel Sharks are sending nine players to the contest, including Northshore graduates James Wigstrom along with Joey and Matt Steel. Also Slidell High graduate Dustin Moore and Slidell resident Chris Leonick made the squad.

The others are Newman, Austin McGee, Johnny Thomas and Eugene Varnado.