May 1, 2025
By Alex Rubin
“Friday Night Frisbee” continues with a never before seen matchup between the Madison Radicals and the Houston Havoc. This will be Madison’s 2025 season debut, while Houston lost to the Austin Sol last weekend in their home opener.
Though they lost, Houston played well in Week 1, and should feel encouraged by the contributions from newcomers making their team debut. Both now playing for their third Texas team after stints in Austin and Dallas, Chase Cunningham’s four assists and turnover-free throwing performance and Tyler Reinhardt's five goals set the standard for the Havoc. Rookie Mark Turner’s eight scoring contributions vaulted him into the All-Rookie conversation after coming into the season as a virtual unknown.
The statistics back up the eye test. Against Austin, Houston completed 67 percent (10/15) of their hucks is good, 83 percent (5/6) of their break chances, and 93 percent (14/15) of their red zone opportunities. Against many teams, that will be enough to win–or at least stay within spitting distance at the end of the game, but to take the next step in their season development, it is clear that Houston needs more defensive pressure. Last season the Havoc allowed the fourth-highest scores against per game, and they seem headed towards a similarly sieve-like season if they cannot find a way to scheme up some stops.
While fans have a sense of what they might see from Houston, Madison enters their season debut with more unknowns. In their pre-season exhibition game against Minnesota, Kelsen Alexander took the offensive reins, and Gabe Vordick racked up five goals. With Kai Marcus and Ted Schewe active, the Radicals will have a solid backfield. On the defensive side of the disc, if Madison can pick up where they left off last season, the Radicals will be in good shape. Defensive excellence has always been a hallmark of the Radicals franchise, and last year’s team backed up their reputation on the field. The 2024 Radicals had the highest break percentage in the league, along with the most blocks, and scored the fifth-most goals. In four games last season, the Radicals actually scored more breaks than holds!
Though this game will mark the debut of Radicals Head Coach Jake Spiro, his predecessor Tim DeByl will still be on the sideline helping to coach the D-line. With DeByl still in the fold, the defense retains some schematic carry-over from years past, but the roster is dotted with new players ready to make their own mark. “Our defense has leveled up this year with thanks to Noa [Chun-Moy], Cade [White], and Ian [McCoskey],” 2024 Second Team All-Rookie Gabe Vordick told reporter Ryan Baker for the Radicals season preview. “It’s been awesome to watch those guys fit in and start balling out.”
Of that group, only Kainoa Chun-Moy is active, so White and McCoskey will have to wait before making their impact on this Radicals season. Speaking of the active roster, Houston will be playing without veteran handler Matt Bennett. The former UFA champion is Houston’s all time leader in throwing yards and a vital piece to their offensive backfield. His absence increases the spotlight on Cunningham and Jimmy Zuraw to steer the ship, and will likely hand more responsibility to Dalton Smith, who will be making his team debut. Smith was Bennett’s teammate on the 2016 Dallas Roughnecks championship team, and will be playing his seventh UFA season after a stop in Chicago. Returning to his home state, Smith is a gifted thrower and a natural leader who raises Houston’s floor when he is on the field. His ability to see through the chaos happening on the field and direct an offense should keep Houston’s offensive performance steady, no matter what line he plays on.
As an inter division game, this will be the first time that Houston and Madison play each other. Both teams definitely feel more comfortable playing against familiar competition. This will be Houston’s second game against Central Division opposition; last season they lost at home to Chicago by a 20-14 scoreline. The Radicals beat Colorado in their only out-of-division game last season, after going 0-4 in such regular season contests in previous seasons.
