Fire, police departments to face off in football game

The gauntlet has been thrown down and, as a result, another challenge between Newport Beach Fire and Police Departments will be settled between 100 yards of grass, blood and sweat. That’s right, we mean football.

At 8:30 a.m. Saturday both departments will face off in the second of three games at Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach.

Unlike the last competition both departments participated in, the Corona del Mar 5K run, no side bet has been made between Police Chief John Klein and Fire Chief Steve Lewis. Klein had to climb the 100-foot fire truck ladder after the firefighters beat the cops.

But never discount the importance of bragging rights.

“It’s nice to see [rank-and-file] guys both having fun. It gets really competitive between the teams,” Newport Beach Police Lt. Dale Johnson said. “You’ve got some really great athletes there.”

It’s great to watch the next generation of police lieutenants and fire captains getting to know each other, he added.

“Not too long ago I would have been one of those guys,” Johnson said.

There’s also talk of making the series an annual event.

Last week’s game ended in a 12-12 tie.

— Kelly Strodl