Blue Flame wraps up
gridiron season by catching fire

The Philadelphia Blue Flame police and fire football team has won back-to-back games and will close out its regular season on Saturday (11 a.m.) vs. the Bakersfield (Calif.) PD at George Washington High.
On May 6, the Blue Flame improved its season record to 2-2 with a come-from-behind, 21-14, win over the Chicago PD Enforcers at Soldier Field, home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears.
After falling behind, 14-6, with eight minutes to go in the game, the Blue Flame scored two late touchdowns to prevail.
First, running back Pat McDonald scored on a one-yard run. Quarterback Walt Bartle passed to tight end Rich Kobierowski for a two-point conversion.
Then with 41 seconds left, Bartle connected with wide receiver Bobby Penn on a 52-yard touchdown pass. Bill Eddis kicked the extra point.
It was Bartle’s second TD pass of the game. In the first quarter, he and wide receiver Jesse Scott hooked up for 48 yards.
The Blue Flame’s defense shut out the Enforcers for almost the entire second half to keep the team in the game.
The victory followed a 22-0 romp over the D.C. Generals in Wildwood on April 21. The Blue Flame bounced back from early-season losses to the New York and Los Angeles fire departments.
All of the money raised from Saturday’s game at Washington High, on Bustleton Avenue at Verree Road, will benefit a survivors fund for fallen police and firefighters.
After the game, a fund-raiser block party will be held at Finnigan’s Wake, at Third and Spring Garden streets, from 3 to 7 p.m. The $20 admission includes a roast beef buffet, refreshments and live music.
For information, call 267-278-0589 or visit www.blueflamefootball.com ••