CHARITY WINS IN LAWMEN'S FOOTBALL GAME

The final score was 14-6 with the visiting Springfield Guns declared the winners of a hard-fought football game, but the real winner was the Southeast Missouri Easter Seal Society.

Thanks to sales of tickets, T-shirts and concessions, officials collected an estimated $3,000 for the charity through the football game which pitted law enforcement officers from Cape Girardeau County against police officers from Springfield.

"This has been a great event for us," said Chuck Martin, the director of the Southeast Missouri Easter Seal Society. "This was a fund-raiser we really hadn't planned on so it's really appreciated.

"This was billed as a first-annual event, and we look forward to it in the years to come," he said.

Meanwhile, team coordinators from both sides of the line were vowing a better football game next year when area law enforcement officers, the Enforcers, travel to Springfield to battle the Guns.

"This is definitely an annual event," said Springfield police officer Kevin Shipley.

Richard Rushin of the Jackson police agreed: "It was a good game, and we'll do it again next year."

Shipley said he was impressed with the performance level of the Enforcers because this was the team's first football game. Springfield has been playing charity football games since 1992. "We went into the locker room at halftime and said, `Hey, these guys are good,'" he said.

Rushin vowed to be better next year.

About 700 people turned out Saturday afternoon to encourage their respective law enforcement officers.

In addition to the football game, other events such as a raffle drawing, field-goal kicking contest, appearances by St. Louis Rams cheerleaders and parachutists with the SEMO Skydiving Club also entertained the fans.