In a gritty Week 3 matchup on the road, the Shreveport Steamer continued their early season dominance with a 16-7 win over the Jacksonville Bulls, preserving their perfect 3-0 record. This victory under head coach David Ladner underscores the team's growing identity as a defense-first unit complemented by timely special teams execution and a balanced offensive attack.

The game opened with an early turnover that set the tone. Bulls quarterback Earl Jackson's pass was intercepted by Smoke Landry around midfield just a minute into the contest. The Steamer capitalized swiftly, as Marshall Bernardi punched in a five-yard touchdown run on the very next possession, giving Shreveport a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. This marked Bernardi’s first touchdown of the season and highlighted his dual-threat value, accumulating 63 rushing yards alongside 33 receiving.

The Bulls struggled to generate consistent offensive momentum behind Jackson, who finished with a modest 152 passing yards, one touchdown, but four crucial interceptions — two more than the Steamer’s Stan Williams. Williams, while throwing two picks himself, managed 205 yards through the air and faced relentless pressure from Shreveport’s defensive front that recorded four sacks and forced one fumble recovery.

Special teams played a pivotal role throughout the contest. Steamer’s Wild Bill Longley repeatedly pinned Jacksonville deep with booming punts, including a 60-yard coffin corner that resulted in a touchback, shifting field position in Shreveport's favor several times. Kicker Rufus Stewart, despite an early miss from 50 yards, redeemed himself by nailing two long field goals of 57 and 56 yards, adding six crucial points to the scoreboard.

Defensively, the Steamer’s secondary, led by Gregory Mitchell with two interceptions, continued to stifle the Bulls’ passing game. Shreveport’s layered defense limited Jacksonville’s explosive plays, holding running back Jack Grubb to 82 yards combined rushing and receiving, and keeping wideout Don Turner in check despite his 69-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter. That touchdown was Jacksonville's only scoring effort after the opening quarter, underlining the Steamer’s defensive adjustments and resilience.

Coach Ladner’s squad demonstrated discipline with only a single penalty for 10 yards, reflecting a focused effort to maintain control and avoid costly mistakes. In contrast, Jacksonville incurred three penalties for 20 yards, which proved detrimental in a tight defensive struggle.

The win boosts the Steamer atop the standings with an undefeated record of 3-0 and an impressive point differential of 83-for and just 17-against, signaling their comprehensive control on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, the Bulls fall to 1-2 and remain searching for offensive rhythm under Coach John Belmonte.

This game marks a continuation of Shreveport’s narrative this season — a team defined by disciplined defense, strategic special teams plays, and a steady offensive presence despite some turnovers. The ability to win close, low-scoring games on the road bodes well for the Steamer as they build momentum toward the midseason stretch. For a team still finding balance but riding a winning streak, this result confirms they are on the right track under David Ladner’s leadership. As the regular season unfolds, the Steamer look positioned to remain a serious threat within the division and beyond.