The Viejas Enterprise San Diego Sharks flag football team, composed of players from the San Diego American Flag Football League, took fifth place out of 16 teams that competed at Gay Bowl VI, which took place in Dallas, Texas, Oct. 6-8.

The New York Warriors won the championship this year with a 25-19 win over the Gay Bowl V defending champions, Chicago Flames.

Initially competing in a pool of three teams, the Sharks went 2-1. In their first game on Oct. 6, they cruised past the Texas Bulls in a 42-12 win. In their next game the same day, the Sharks easily defeated the Houston Hurricanes 40-17.

In their last pool game on Oct. 7, the Sharks suffered their first loss, a close 28-20 setback, to eventual Gay Bowl VI champions the New York Warriors.

After pool play, the Sharks were seeded sixth and lost a close 18-14 quarterfinal game against the Washington, D.C., Monuments. The Sharks then beat the Salt Lake City Avalanche for their fifth place finish with a narrow 14-12 victory.

“Overall, the team was very competitive, only losing to the eventual champions, the New York Warriors, and the third place team, the Washington, D.C., Monuments,” Sharks’ captain Doug Komlenic said.

Two Sharks players collected all-tournament offense and defense recognition, which only 14 players received out of 200 who were eligible. Sharks quarterback Jesse Remer was named to the all-tournament offense team and Komlenic was named to the all-tournament defense team.

Shaun Rodgers was named the Sharks’ MVP. Rodgers scored six touchdowns overall – five catching and one rushing – and also racked up four interceptions, playing both offense and defense.

“Everyone on the team played at a high level. It was a team effort to secure the highest place [fifth] any San Diego team has done in the Gay Bowl,” Komlenic said.