Photo by Rob Gilmor
MAY 8, 2025
By Kyle Turnbaugh
After splitting their first two games against division opponents at home, the DC Breeze (1-1) now travel to Durham, North Carolina to take on their only out-of-division opponent of the regular season. The Carolina Flyers (0-0) are yet another team that we have seen very little of, as they have only played one game against the Atlanta Hustle, which was cut short by weather after just 15 points and Carolina trailing Atlanta 8-7.
From the little bit we did see, we know the Flyers will be tough opposition for the Breeze. Rookie Rutledge Smith stood out with his physical presence, scoring two goals. Allan Laviolette, in his tenth season in the league, remains effective in the handle set, with 130+ throwing and receiving yards, along with two goals in the shortened game. The Flyers did give up a break, but otherwise, they kept up with a perennially-strong Hustle team in what could be a matchup that decides the South Division later down the line.
For the Breeze to keep up with the Flyers O-Line, they'll need to continue the good defensive form they found in the game against Toronto. The returns of David Bloodgood and Moussa Dia, who both missed last game, as well as the season debuts of Miles Grovic and Rhys Bergeron should give the Breeze the firepower needed to build on last week's defensive performance. Grovic, especially, should be a dangerous weapon deep, pairing with Alexandre Fall and Dia, for a Breeze team that will need serious speed and size to keep the Flyers from taking advantage of downfield space.
DC’s last matchup against the Flyers is one DC fans are likely to remember, and one Carolina fans try to forget. Last season, the Breeze demolished the Flyers at Carlini Field, winning 25-13. Thomas Edmonds threw four assists, Elliot Bonnet caught four goals, and Jacques Nissen posted two blocks and three assists. That game was plagued by throwaways and drops for the Flyers, and it's unlikely that DC will get such a comfortable win over a perennial contender like Carolina two years in a row. Breeze fans should expect a much more hotly-contested affair between two teams trying to top their divisions, especially in the early season where nothing is decided and both the Breeze and Flyers need to make up ground in their respective divisions: DC is looking up at the surprise contender in Philadelphia, and both Austin and San Diego have begun their seasons 2-0 in the south.
There are some notable absences for the Breeze, including Edmonds, who leads the Breeze in points played, Jeff Wodatch continues to be out, and D-Line members Jace Dean and Jasper Tom will not be available against the Flyers. Xavier Schafer, Zach Burpee, and Graham Turner, who have all appeared throughout the season, will dress for the game. The Flyers will notably be without Suraj Madiraju and Elijah Long, as well as Christian Belus, a First Team All-Rookie selection last season.
The Breeze got back to winning ways last week and will look to come up with a huge road win in the young UFA season. DC is 5-2 all time against the Flyers and will hope that they can continue that with another solid performance in Carolina this weekend.
Catch the DC Breeze against the Carolina Flyers on Saturday, May 10. First pull goes up at 6:00 PM ET. Stream live on watchufa.tv.
