May 2, 2026
By Adam Ruffner
A nearly flawless offensive performance propelled the reloaded New York Empire (1-0) in a wire-to-wire, home opener win versus the Toronto Rush (0-1) on “Friday Night Frisbee”. Offseason acquisition and 2024 All-UFA First Teamer Alex Atkins exploded in his debut for the Empire, and finished with seven total scores and 470 total yards on 27-of-27 throws. But Atkins was just the tip of the spear for the New York attack, as Ben Jagt, Jack Williams, Matt LaBar, and second year receiver Jacob Cowan all had standout performances without a turnover. New York as a team committed just eight turnovers, their lowest total since June 21, 2024.
“That was awesome,” Atkins said in a postgame interview about his first points with the Empire. “It was fun to be on that line, and just cooking out there with the guys.”
A top five offense a season ago, the Empire O-line started 2026 by scoring on 16 of their 18 offensive possessions, and setting a new franchise record for a single game with an 89 percent offensive success rate. Atkins and Jagt immediately showcased why they might be the best one-two punch in not just the East Division, but the league as a whole, and hooked up on two different huck connections on the night. Cowan and LaBar, though, continue to develop as offensive playmakers, with the latter showcasing an improved throwing repertoire and range that adds another talented arm to an already stacked attack.
Offense wasn’t the only area of improvement for the Empire. With the presence of Atkins, John Randolph shifted back over into his natural defensive starting role and generated three blocks in 19 points against Toronto. Not only does Randolph’s return to the D-line give the Empire a top three coverage defender in the association, it lends to more favorable matchups for a still young-and-developing New York defense. Second year athletes Benjamin Simmons and Drew Schnaudigel combined for five takeaways, while 6’5” New Zealander and rookie Nicholas Whitlock inherited primary pulling duties from Marques Brownlee; like Atkins, Whitlock is another newcomer with full field throwing power.
Reigning “Rookie Of The Year” and unanimous All-UFA First Team selection Daan De Marrée was inactive last evening, and has yet to make his Empire debut. The Belgian superstar figures to slot in on offense, making last night’s New York dominant victory even more daunting to grasp for other East Division opponents.
New York now prepares to host their fiercest rivals from DC next Sunday in a special edition of "Friday Night Frisbee".
