By Beth Martin
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
Copyright 2007 The Times-Picayune Publishing Company
ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. — Football is big news this month in southeast Louisiana with the Sugar Bowl and the second-round division playoff game in New Orleans, followed by the Guns and Hoses Bowl in Slidell.
The top-ranked St. Tammany Parish Fire Protection District 1 will square off with the No. 1 Slidell Police Department in an eight-man, flag football game on Jan. 27 at 1:30 p.m. in the Slidell High School stadium.
The cause for all the pain? All proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association.
Fire Chief Larry Hess said 37 firefighters and 25 police officers signed up to participate in the inaugural charity bowl. Both teams are undefeated, having “byes” throughout the entire season, and tout resilient lineups, reporting only one injured player each during last month’s practices.
He said the only statistic that matters leading into the high-profile championship game, though, is that all players are willing to give 110 percent.
“They’re out there practicing with an eye on victory but with the notion of having fun at the same time,” said Hess, who will play against Slidell Police Chief Freddy Drennan for a limited time during the bowl.
Both squads are up to the challenge, no question about it, but the crowd factor is an unknown. Hess said he hopes the matchup draws at least 200 people, excluding the players and their families. The players are counting on the fans for additional support.
Tickets are $5 per person and available from the agencies; children 12 or younger are admitted free.
Both teams are offering corporate sponsorships, available with a $100 donation, and will accept other contributions. Concessions, as well as tickets, will be available at the game. Donation checks should be payable to American Heart Association.
The fire district’s game plan likely will include displaying a Krispy Kreme sign over the opponent’s bench, casting fishing rods rigged with doughnuts at the rivals and vending numerous bags of “doughnut seeds” for a nickel each. The bags will contain Cheerios that fans can throw in the air like confetti.
Slidell police are mum on game strategy, but Hess has heard talk that the department may show off a wheelbarrow full of concrete dubbed “the last foundation saved by Fire Protection District No. 1.” There also have been tongue-and-cheek reports of police increasing patrols around a particular city field to “scout” the fire district’s practices.
Hess said that the bowl helps strengthen existing bonds between the first responders from the two agencies that already work well together in emergency situations, such as traffic accidents. “It’s a critical incident stress management tool,” he said.
The two agencies had a softball tournament prior to Hurricane Katrina. Their aim now is to host a football event that raises money for a different charity each year and involves the community.
The upcoming bowl gives each agency an opportunity to promote public safety and community education programs. The fire district’s prevention unit will be on hand with Sparky the Fire Dog and a smoke trailer.
Drennan said he is among those looking forward to the bowl, which helps raise money for a worthy cause. “The rivalry and camaraderie between the two (agencies) is good,” he said. “It’s going to be a good game.”