Axemen Game Report: Round 4

The Firehouse Subs Jacksonville Axemen defeated the DC Slayers in Round 4 of the USARL competition in what will be remembered as one of the closest comeback victories in Axemen history. The game began with the Axemen coming out flat, and the Slayers scored twice in the first quarter to a weak defense. With the score 12-0 going into the second quarter, the Axemen tried to maintain composure and got on the board with a try by Kevin Wathen and a conversion by Brent Shorten to make the score 12-6. The Slayers answered back with two more tries scored, but were unable to complete the conversions and the score came to 20-6. In the crucial minutes before ending the first half the Axemen scored again with a try from Jay Mombu and another conversion from Shorten, but the defense could not stop the Slayers with another try scored to make the score 24-12 at the half. The mood was intense in the locker room during halftime, and several of the team leaders made an impact to change the direction of the game. The Axemen came out in the second half firing on all cylinders and dominated the third quarter with a squad that looked much more like the team who won the championship in 2012. Three tries were scored by Axemen in the 3^rd quarter by Josh Cock, Brenden Beedle, and Brent Shorten, and all three conversions were made to bring Jacksonville to lead the game 30-24. The defense was much improved by the Axemen and the Slayers were unable to score until the 4^th quarter with a complete conversion to tie the game again at 30-30 with 10 minutes to go. With both teams battling it out the Axemen defense came through to get the ball back and Akarika Dawn scored to get up on the Slayers and with another conversion completed by Shorten the score was 36-30 with 2 minutes left. The Slayers and the Axemen were back and forth in the final few plays of the game and with seconds to go the Slayers kicked the ball in hopes to gain advantage on the field. Axemen Sean Meehan who was brought up from reserve grade caught the ball and the game was over with the Axemen winning 36-30. Although the team was slow to start, there were several highlights to the game, including two massive hits by Akarika Dawn and Jonathan “Schmee” Defau, and Brent Shorten’s kicking game was perfect. The Axemen will take on the Philadelphia Fight this weekend in Jacksonville in Round 5.