Philadelphia Blue Flame
turn up the heat

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

The Philadelphia Blue Flame police and fire football team improved to 3-1 on the season, including a perfect 2-0 in National Public Safety Football League play, with a 24-17 victory over the Orlando Guardians at Northeast High School’s Charlie Martin Stadium on May 3.
The Blue Flame are scheduled to face their toughest NPSFL challenge of the season on Friday, May 16, when they host the Fire Department of New York’s Bravest at Northeast High at 7 p.m. in a battle of unbeatens.
In the win over Orlando, Cardinal Dougherty alumnus Walt Bartle tossed three touchdown passes, all to speedy wide receiver Jesse Scott. Meanwhile, running back Dante Coccia, formerly of St. John Neumann High School, converted a pair of two-pointers, including one on a run and one on a pass from Bartle.
The Blue Flame defense, led by middle linebacker and Archbishop Ryan graduate Jesse O’Shea, scored on a safety.
Philadelphia led 8-0 after one quarter, 17-14 at the half, and never trailed in the game.
So far this spring, the Blue Flame have won at Dallas in their only other league game. They also beat the independent New York Public Safety team and lost to the defending NPSFL champion New York Police Department Finest in a non-league game.
Against Orlando on May 3, the game was stopped in the second quarter when word of the shooting death of police Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski reached the stadium. Players from both teams met at midfield and kneeled in a moment of silence before resuming the game. ••