SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - San Diego first responders are battling Camp Pendleton Marines on the gridiron this weekend.
It's the San Diego Enforcers season opener, and all proceeds will go to Honor Flight San Diego.
The Enforcers are made up of first responders, including firefighters, police officers, sheriff's deputies, and border patrol.
"Our organization has three pillars: family, charity, and winning football games, all of which we're really good at," said Joe Pellegrini, a San Diego firefighter and defensive end for the Enforcers.
The team has raised over $200,000 for good causes.
Honor Flight provides veterans a free trip to visit their memorials in Washington, D.C.
The nonprofit hopes to take 80 veterans to D.C. this May, but they haven't fully funded the $240,000 trip.
"To know how easy it is, if you will, our job is now, compared to what our jobs were 40, 50, 80, 100 years ago, it's very humbling," said L. Cpl. Jacob Holzschuh, head offensive line coach of the USMC Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs are going for their third win in a row, but the Enforcers are planning to break the streak.
"It's not just your normal backyard football you play after Thanksgiving, this is full pads, full contact, really bang 'em up type football," said Pellegrini.
Both teams plan to put on a good show, all in honor of our nation's heroes.
