Police, firefighters and paramedics from throughout the St. Louis area square off in Cottleville Saturday at a soccer tournament to benefit BackStoppers Inc.

BackStoppers helps the families of emergency responders who die in the line of duty.

The Unsung Heroes Soccer Tournament kicks off at 8 a.m. at Vetta Sports-St. Charles, 1425 St. Peters Cottleville Road. The men’s final begins at 8:10 p.m., and the women’s final begins at 9 p.m.

Players for teams like the Stuff ‘n’ Cuff and the Ash Kickers paid $25 each to play. Cost for admission to the event was unavailable Friday evening.

Sgt. Jeff Ochs of the St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department said Vetta Sports will have inflatables in a play area for children. Cost for admission to the play area is $3.

Ochs said Saturday’s tournament is the first of what organizers hope will be an annual event, much like well-known Guns ‘n’ Hoses boxing  tournaments that also benefit BackStoppers.

“BackStoppers is such an outstanding organization, and we’re all proud to do what we can for them,” Ochs said.

The event’s lead organizer is Officer Jason Corson of the Hazelwood Police Department.