Replay of National Championship Game to open the season
The Axemen and Warriors battled out the 2010 National Championship in Philadelphia last August with the Axemen claiming the trophy. The Warriors will certainly be looking to open up their season with the ultimate regular season prize of knocking off the current National Champions.
“It doesn’t get much better than this for the home opener”, said Spinner Howland. “We square off against one of the best teams in the USARL who we beat in the National Championship, and we know they are looking for some retribution. If there was ever a time for fans to come and see high level Rugby League, this is it. I know that our guys will be leaving everything they have on the field to get us a win over the Warriors. It is going to be a very highly contested game”
The Axemen v Warriors game will kick off at 5pm at Hodges Stadium, but before that there will be a “curtain raiser” game between the Daytona Gearheads and the Jacksonville Hatchets that will be the inaugural game of the new minor league championship that has been set up by the Axemen to increase their player roster depth and also help grow the sport in Florida. That game will kick off at 4pm as the gates open.
“There is going to be lots of energy in the early game due to it being the first ever contest in a new championship”, Howland said. “Guys on the three reserve grade teams are all fighting to push their way onto the Axemen roster and each week two players from the competing minor league teams will get called up to start on the bench for the Axemen”
The Firehouse Subs Southeastern Rugby League Championship will give players an opportunity to break into the Axemen team during the entire season, and also motivate those on the top team roster to continue good playing form or they run the risk of being dropped to one of the reserve grade teams.
Gates open at 4pm at Hodges Stadium, walk up entry is $5 (Kids 12 and under FREE) and the Axemen Maiden Cheersleaders will perform all game long as the fans enjoy the action and the $1 beers.
