The 2023 DC Defenders season was the second season for the DC Defenders as a professional American football franchise. The Defenders played their home games at Audi Field and were led by head coach Reggie Barlow.
At the first home game security staff prevented fans building the "Beer Snake", a signature feature from the 2020 season, and fans started throwing lemons on the field. The league made the proper arrangements for the "Beer Snake" to be allowed during Defenders home games.
Earning their first playoff berth and clinching first place in the North Division, the Defenders eliminated the Seattle Sea Dragons in the North Division title game in the playoffs. With the win, the Defenders advanced to the XFL Championship Game where they faced the Arlington Renegades, losing by a score of 26-35.
Roster
Background
The 2020 season was the inaugural season for the DC Defenders as a professional club. They were playing as charter members of the rebooted XFL, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the season. The Defenders played their home games at Audi Field and were led by head coach Pep Hamilton.
Their inaugural season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the XFL officially suspended operations for the remainder of the season on March 20, 2020. The Defenders finished the season with a 3–2 record.
Schedule All times Eastern Week Day Date Kickoff TV Opponent Results Location Attendance Score Record 1 Sunday February 19 8:00 p.m. ESPN Seattle Sea Dragons 22–18 1–0 Audi Field 12,438 2 Saturday February 25 7:00 p.m. FX at Vegas Vipers 18–6 2–0 Cashman Field 6,023 3 Sunday March 5 1:00 p.m. FX St. Louis BattleHawks 34–28 3–0 Audi Field 16,212 4 Sunday March 12 7:00 p.m. ESPN2 Vegas Vipers 32–18 4–0 Audi Field 11,521 5 Saturday March 18 7:00 p.m. FX at St. Louis BattleHawks 28–20 5–0 The Dome at America's Center 35,868 6 Monday March 27 7:00 p.m. ESPN2 Houston Roughnecks 37–26 6–0 Audi Field 12,492 7 Saturday April 1 6:00 p.m. ESPN at Orlando Guardians 36–37 6–1 Camping World Stadium 7,011 8 Sunday April 9 7:00 p.m. ESPN2 at Seattle Sea Dragons 34–33 7–1 Lumen Field 11,874 9 Sunday April 16 12:00 p.m. ESPN Arlington Renegades 28–26 8–1 Audi Field 18,684 10 Saturday April 22 3:00 p.m. ABC at San Antonio Brahmas 29–28 9–1 Alamodome 12,129
Game summaries Week 1: vs. Seattle Sea Dragons
Week 2: at Vegas Vipers
Week 3: vs. St. Louis BattleHawks
Week 4: vs. Vegas Vipers
Week 5: at St. Louis BattleHawks
Week 6: vs. Houston Roughnecks
Week 7: at Orlando Guardians
Week 8: at Seattle Sea Dragons
Week 9: vs. Arlington Renegades
Week 10: at San Antonio Brahmas
Standings
Postseason Schedule Week Day Date Kickoff TV Opponent Results Location Attendance Score Record Division Finals Sunday April 30 3:00 p.m. ESPN Seattle Sea Dragons 37–21 1–0 Audi Field 18,684 XFL Championship Saturday May 13 8:00 p.m. ABC vs. Arlington Renegades 26–35 1–1 Alamodome 22,754
Game summaries XFL North Division Finals: vs. (2) Seattle Sea Dragons
XFL Championship Game: vs. Arlington Renegades
Staff DC Defenders staffFront office Director of team operations – Stacie Johnson Director of player personnel – Von Hutchins
Head coach Head coach/general manager – Reggie Barlow
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator/running backs – Fred Kaiss Wide Receivers - Alvance Robinson Tight Ends - Cody Crills Offensive Line - Russ Ehrenfeld Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator/secondary – Gregg Williams Defensive Line - Jeremy Watkins Linebackers/Special Teams - Jamie Sharper
Team operations Quality Control – Deion Harris Athletic Trainer – Chris Lacsamana Equipment Manager – VanDyke Jones Video Manager – Caleb Studivant
References