By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A handful of St. John the Baptist Parish’s finest will take a break from fighting fires and felons to battle on the football field for a good cause.

The St. John Sheriff’s Office will compete against St. John firefighters in a seven-on-seven flag football game to help raise money for Sheriff Wayne Jones’ annual Christmas program. The game, dubbed “Guns and Hoses Flag Football,” kicks off today at 9 a.m. at Riverside Academy in Reserve.

“We wanted to do something to raise money for the program but also get the community involved,” said fireman Michael Heath, who spearheaded the game. “We thought this would be an easy way to have a little fun for a good cause.”

The entry fee for the game is $1, but anyone who brings a toy still in its package or a canned food item gets in free. He said coffee from PJ’s and doughnuts from the Donut Hole will also be sold throughout the event.

“All of the proceeds from the day will go toward the Sheriff’s Office toy program,” Heath said. “Food donations will go to area churches’ food baskets.”

Steven Faucheaux, a deputy in the Sheriff’s Office, said the teams will play two 20-minute halves and the game will be officiated by outside referees. He said the teams are playing for the community, but bragging rights are on the line.

“We have a trophy made up, and the winning team will own it until the next event,” Faucheaux said. “We don’t want to just do football. We are talking about doing cabbage ball and basketball as the seasons change.”

Both Heath and Faucheaux said there has been some trash talking between the agencies, but neither would offer up a quote to the media before game time.

“We’re saving it for the field,” Heath said. “There has been some talk, but it’s all in good fun. All of the guys are excited.”

The teams aren’t just playing for pride, Faucheaux said, because the losers will be required to wash the winner’s vehicles.

“If the Sheriff’s Office wins, the firefighters will wash patrol cars in front of the Parish’s Emergency Operations Center,” he said. “If the firefighters win, we will have to wash their trucks out at one of their stations. Just one more incentive.”

The field where the game will take place is behind Riverside Academy, which is located at 332 W. Railroad Ave. in Reserve.