For The Intelligencer WHEELING – Police officers are trained to be able to defend their territory, and the Wheeling Police Department has done an
outstanding job of doing just that in the annual Guns and Hoses Charity Football Game. Friday night was no exception as the Guns were able to hold the Hoses out of the end zone for the second consecutive season while the Firemen created just enough fires in the first half to allow their opponents to escape with a victory. Doug Ernest hit Matt Kotson with a 5-yard touchdown pass late in the first half and the Police Department defense made it stand, holding the Firemen to just 17 total yards of offense in gaining a hard-fought 7-0 victory at Wheeling Island Stadium. The victory is the third in four meeting for the officers with last year’s event ending in a scoreless tie. The 2009 football game will benefit the Easter Seal Society. ”Again the guys on both sides played their hearts out and I believe everyone escaped injury free,” Police coach Bill Barry said. Opportunities on offense were limited for the Fire Department in the first half, with a lot of that having to do with its own mistakes.
The Police managed to drive the ball from its own 28 to the other 20 on its first possession, however, Phil Redford’s 36-yard field goal attempt was low and well off target. After the Firemen went go three-and-out to end the first quarter, the mistakes began to pile up for the designated visitors.