Ryan Baker

After beating them by one in the last two matchups, the Madison Radicals travel to Indianapolis to face the AlleyCats this Saturday.

The Radicals are 4-3, and a win against the team behind them in the Central would put them in a strong position to host a playoff game in July. It would not settle the matter, but it would make Madison 5-3 and Indy 2-5, widening the gap even more. A win would also guarantee Madison’s win in the tiebreaker between the two.

The catch is that Indy is missing a ton of its top stars, and Madison will also be without some of their main guys. Victor Luo, Luke Marks, Sam Stark, and Kyle Conniff will be gone this weekend. Additionally, Kainoa Chun-Moy and Sterling Knoche are still out battling injuries.

The guys stepping up this weekend are Matt Grinde, who got a clutch block off the pull against the Union last week, Shane Otis, John Tan, and Noah Nicol. The latter three have not played in a single game this year. Nicol hasn’t suited up since 2024.

“We’re fortunate to have an incredibly deep roster,” veteran Kelsen Alexander said. “These aren’t young guys figuring it out — they’re guys who know our systems and have played in multiple UFA games before.”

Even though those guys getting the call aren’t new to the team, they will still have to lean on the playmakers of 2026 to come out with a win.

“My job is just making sure they feel comfortable and trusted out there,” Alexander said. “They’re rostered Saturday because they’ve been making plays in practice, and we know we can count on them. And honestly, even with some absences, there are guys who still haven’t seen the field yet that I’d love to have out there.”

One of the more intriguing players on the field this week is Noah Petersen, who has played in the last three games. While his stats do not show his impact, with just one goal in those three games, his speed and quickness could be pivotal this weekend.

For Madison, this game needs to be about fine-tuning its skills and focusing on its weakest areas, especially against a depleted AlleyCats team.

“In the second half of the season, we need to continue to improve our defense. Turnovers are going to happen, and we need to be able to get the ball back and score,” Gabe Vordick said.

This game could turn sloppy really fast, but it is important for the Radicals to stay within themselves and focus on ramping up their play for the coming weeks.

“The teams that are playing their best ultimate in the final stretch are usually the ones still standing at the end, so our goal is to keep improving every week and make sure our best games are still ahead of us,” Nico Ranabhat said.

With all the talk about Indy missing key players and Madison wanting to improve week to week, a win is not guaranteed this weekend. They are playing guys with very little film this year, which makes game planning tougher, but there is still a ton of talent on the other side of the field.

“Indy is a hardworking team regardless of who’s out there, so we’re not taking anything for granted,” Alexander said. “The game plan is roughly the same — they still have throwers and athletes. Beyond a few player-specific adjustments, our focus is on winning the energy battle. We’re a team that wins games in the 3rd and 4th quarters because we’re deep and fit, and we plan on bringing that energy from the first pull.”

This could be a trap game for the Radicals, so it is crucial that they do not fall into an early hole. Coming out hot, making smart decisions in transition offense, and putting pressure on Indy’s inexperience are the keys to walking away with a win.

To watch the third matchup between these two teams on Saturday at 6 p.m. EST, go here!

The Radicals return to Breese on July 3rd vs the AlleyCats!