For football fanatics, the offseason can feel like an eternity. Fortunately there’s a way to take in some hard-hitting action in the meantime, while supporting local law enforcement. It happens Saturday when the San Diego Enforcers face the Atlanta Defenders in Hero Bowl III at Cathedral Catholic High.
The Enforcers, a tackle-football team comprised completely of San Diego County law enforcement officers, paramedics and firefighters, are playing for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund for the third year in a row this season. Last year’s Hero Bowl drew more than 1,500 attendees and during the last two seasons, the Enforcers raised $17,500 for the Semper Fi Fund, the team stated in a press release.
The squad hopes to attract an even larger crowd for Saturday’s contest. “We’d love to double last year’s number and be able to give twice as much money to the Semper Fi Fund,” said Jason Sullivan, who is the team’s manager. “We’re really pushing for that because the more money we raise, the more injured Marines and sailors we can help. ... We want to put out a rally cry for our Marine brothers to come out and watch us play. We’d love to see them come and support us and get a little rowdy.”
The Enforcers play against other teams within the National Public Safety Football League, which consists of 22 teams of full-time peace officers, paramedics and firefighters from across the country. Each NPSFL team plays four games during a season and donates the proceeds to a local charity.
On Feb. 21, the Enforcers won the first game of their season, recording a 35-0 victory over the Orange County Lawmen at El Toro High. The squad was led by quarterback JJ Carrell, who threw four touchdowns in the win.
Sullivan said a handful of players on the Enforcers’ roster are former Marines. One of whom is receiver Cedric Palencia, a staff sergeant who belonged to 4th Tank Battalion before exiting the Corps several years ago. Palencia was deployed to Iraq for 10 months in 2005 and he knows the impact war can have on military families.
“I’ve seen first hand what combat is, so the fact we’re playing for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund means a lot to me,” Palencia. “I’m a firm believer that we need to do more to help veterans. ... When I first made the decision to join the team and go full bore, it was because I heard we were going to be playing for injured Marines. That’s when I said, ‘OK, I’m doing this.’”
Palencia believes his squad will be ready for the Defenders. His coach, Brian Salmon agrees. “Any football fan knows there’s a different level of excitement when playing a home game, especially the first home game of the sea
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