Round 5 Preview: Axemen vs Fight
The Firehouse Subs Jacksonville Axemen will take on the undefeated Philadelphia Fight this weekend at their home field at the University of North Florida. The Fight gave the Axemen their first loss since 2011 in Round 2 of the USARL competition and the team is looking to settle the score and get a win at home in front of a huge Axemen fan base. The Axemen squad has been able to improve their game over the past two weeks with wins over Boston and DC, and they hope to carry that momentum into the game this Saturday. “As a unit we have improved” Says Axemen Coach and Captain Brent Shorten. “Philadelphia seems to be the team to beat this season but if we play our brand of footy then it will go a long way to winning the game. It’s going to be a tough one but we expect a better performance from ourselves than a few weeks ago.” Along with an improved level of play from Jacksonville, another factor in a potential win over Philadelphia is the return of USA Tomahawks Captain Apple Pope. “Apple has been good for us” says Shorten, “He’s giving good service out of dummy half, and he and Gaz Walker have been working well together.” Pope has played in the last two rounds of the USARL competition with the Axemen and his top level play and experience has helped the team improve. A win over the Fight this weekend could bring the Axemen to the top position on the ladder, and this game is another chance to preview a possible USARL Championship matchup. With this as a motivating factor, the Axemen also will have the backing of the amazing Axemen fans cheering them on at their home field. “Axemen fans have always shown up on game day in full force and there is no doubt the roar of the crowd pushes the team to their full potential,” says Drew Slover, General Manager of the Axemen. “We are excited for the opportunity to present Jacksonville with one of the toughest match-ups the Axemen have seen in years.” Don’t miss the excitement this Saturday, June 29th at the UNF Soccer fields next to Hodges Stadium. Reserve grade teams play at 4pm followed by the Jacksonville Axemen versus the Philadelphia Fight at 5pm. The weekend is also Military Appreciation Day and all members of the military get in for $5.
