Atlanta Copperheads STARTING XIII FOR 2026 SEASON OPENER AGAINST The JACKSONVILLE AXEMEN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATLANTA COPPERHEADS UNVEIL STARTING XIII FOR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED 2026 SEASON OPENER AGAINST JACKSONVILLE AXEMEN

ATLANTA, GA – The wait is over. The newly re-established Atlanta Copperheads have officially named their Starting XIII for tonight’s 2026 season opener against the perennial powerhouse Jacksonville Axemen.

Tonight’s clash at Jacksonville University’s Rock Stadium is more than just a Week 1 fixture; it marks the dawn of a new era for Atlanta rugby league. Led by Captain Sean Hunt, this Copperheads squad is a gritty, hard-nosed mix of seasoned veterans and hungry rookies eager to prove themselves against one of the league's established giants.

The lineup features eight players making their Copperheads debut tonight. Earning a roster number of 170 or higher is a badge of honor for this new wave of talent tasked with building a dynasty from the ground up.

In a massive storyline for the club's relaunch, Roderigus Ceasar is officially coming out of retirement to wear the #1 jersey at Fullback. In a poetic piece of rugby league history, Ceasar is once again serving as Player #1 for a franchise relaunch, having previously done the exact same thing for team owner Curtis Goddard during the original Naples team launch.

"We know exactly who we are stepping onto the pitch with tonight. The Axemen are giants in this league, but we didn’t rebuild this team just to make up the numbers," said Captain Sean Hunt. "We have a locker room full of gritty, tough guys who thrive on being the underdogs. Seeing a legend like Roderigus come out of retirement just to set the tone for us at number one tells you everything you need to know about the culture we are building. It won’t be easy, but this core is ready to go to war, take on the hardest challenges, and lay the foundation for a dynasty right here, right now."

The forward pack is set to bring immense physicality, anchored by Hunt shifting to the 13 spot (Lock), alongside Jamaican national team veteran Sheldon Kelly in the second row, and debutant Jacob Siler moving up to Prop to lead the scrum with high IQ and relentless fitness. In the spine, Damian Dudley takes the #7 jersey to orchestrate play, while Corbin Gibson steps in at Dummy Half, bringing his elite union scrum-half distribution to the 13-man game.

ATLANTA COPPERHEADS STARTING XIII – WEEK 1 (Asterisk * denotes Copperheads Debut)

• 1. Roderigus Ceasar (Fullback) – Coming out of retirement to command the backfield as Player #1.

• 2. Sam Dunn* (Wing) – Shifting out wide to secure the edge.

• 3. Beau Hufton* (Center) – Bringing an all-star presence to anchor the centers.

• 4. Khalial Harris* (Center) – Providing elite utility skillset and distribution in the midfield.

• 5. Brent Coles (Wing) – Positioned out wide to finish plays.

• 7. Damian Dudley* (Halfback) – Taking the reins to orchestrate play from the spine.

• 9. Corbin Gibson* (Dummy Half) – Utilizing crisp union scrum-half passing skills at the 9 position.

• 8. Jacob Siler* (Prop) – Anchoring the scrum with a high rugby IQ and engine.

• 10. Isaiah Jackson* (Prop) – A rookie forward bringing explosive fresh legs to the front row.

• 11. Sheldon Kelly (Second Row) – Bringing his Jamaican national team pedigree to the pack.

• 12. Quentin Koonce (Second Row) – Shifting to the second row to pair his North all-star experience with Kelly.

• 13. Sean Hunt (C) (Lock) – The Captain shifts to the 13 to lead the forward pack from the front.

• 16. Avyon Tufano* (Utility Forward) – Ready to provide massive impact and size off the bench in the forward rotation.

Catch the Action Tonight!

The Atlanta Copperheads kick off their 2026 campaign tonight, Saturday, June 6th, against the Jacksonville Axemen.

• Location: Rock Stadium at Jacksonville University (Jacksonville, FL)

• Kickoff: 7:00 PM EST

Support the club and become a community owner by purchasing your tickets in advance!

• Adults: $20 recommended donation

• Under 18: $10 recommended donation

• 12 and Under: $1 recommended donation

Secure your tickets here: https://www.copperheadsrlfc.com/event-list

About the Atlanta Copperheads: The Atlanta Copperheads are a community-owned rugby league club based in Atlanta, Georgia. Powered by FairShare, the club is dedicated to growing the sport of rugby league in the Southeast, providing opportunities for local athletes, and building a franchise that truly belongs to its fans and community.

Media Contact: Drew Cohen Marketing and PR Intern drew@copperheadsac.com