The Firehouse Subs Jacksonville Axemen (
www.jaxaxe.com) have advanced to the National Championship for the third time in four years.
The Axemen defeated the DC Slayers at Hodges Stadium at UNF in Jacksonville by a score of 58 to 0 this past Saturday to advance to the USA Rugby League National Championship game that will be held in Boston on August 25. The Axemen will face the Boston Thirteen's, who disposed of the Philadelphia Fight in Philly on Saturday.
Although the Axemen have had an undefeated season to date, Boston has home field advantage by reaching the final game that is being hosted at their home ground.
"It is rare that a host team makes their own Championship game, and we must factor that in during preparation", said Spinner Howland, "but I am sure there will be enough Axemen fans in the stands in Boston to make it feel quite a bit like home for us."
The Axemen would like to thank all their fans, their sponsors and special guests who attended the game and helped cheer the team onto such a great victory. Special thanks to Jasmine Rhey for singing the National Anthem LIVE before kickoff, and to Bruce Hamilton from Channel 4 for his help in profiling the team during the lead up.
Of course we wish to thank EVERYONE who helps the Axemen by attending games, sponsoring the team or players, buying merchandise, promoting on Facebook, and generally sharing and talking about the experience had at our home games. Without all of YOU, the trip to Boston in 2 weeks would not be possible.
WE THANK ALL OF YOU.
In the earlier game on Saturday, the Daytona Gearheads delivered the first defeat of the season to the Jacksonville Hatchets, as the Gearheads secured their 2nd straight Southeastern Rugby League Championship. The SERL is a minor league (reserve grade) competition that is run by the Axemen to help increase the player pool, geographical reach of Rugby League in the Southeast, and to allow players to continue to develop and push for a spot on the Axemen roster. The SERL is comprised of teams from Jacksonville, Daytona and Orlando who play in conjunction with the USA Rugby League Season.
(Special thanks to Axemen Players Craig Howitt (Daytona) and Kevin Wathen (Orlando) for coaching the two remote teams this season)
The Axemen would like to invite you to visit our site (
www.jaxaxe.com) to purchase some 2012 Merchandise and support us as we head to the National Championship.
As always you can follow us on Facebook at "facebook.com/The Jacksonville Axemen" AND Twitter at "jaxaxemen"
The Jacksonville Axemen compete in the USA Rugby League that comprises the best Rugby League Teams in the USA -
www.uasrugbyleague.com