The first game in the history of the newest Indoor Football League franchise, the Fishers Freight, was a win for the team from Central Indiana, 41-29, over the Northern Arizona Wranglers. The Fishers squad came into Prescott Valley Arizona anxious to play their first game ever and came away with a win.
It is not a surprise that Freight Quarterback Jiya Wright gained plenty of yards with quarterback keeper plays. However, no one could have predicted a key touchdown would be scored by a defensive lineman, 315 pound Izaiah Reed. When Wrangler QB CJ Fowler had the ball slip out of his hands with a pass attempt in the third quarter, Reed was alert, picked the ball out of the air, and found clear sailing all the way to the end zone.
The Freight did not get out to the best of starts Saturday night, finding themselves trailing the Northern Arizona squad 14-0 early in the second quarter. But the players from Fishers scored two quick TDs, bringing the score to 14-13, with Arizona still in the lead.
Arizona scored again and the halftime score was Wranglers 21 Freight 13.
Fishers took the opening kickoff in the second half and marched down the field for a TD, bringing the Freight within one point of the Wranglers, 21-20. Reed’s touchdown gave the Freight the lead and Fishers never trailed in the contest again.
When the Wranglers appeared to gain momentum with a touchdown and 2-point conversion with just over a minute left in the game, the Freight scored a safety that put the game away for the team from Indiana.
The game got out to a bit of an awkward start when, after the coin toss, the referee referred to the Freight as “Frisco.” There was also a Fishers TD that was overturned after a long replay review by the officials, finally saying the ball hit the ground before possession, but it was very close.
The Fishers Freight return to their home town with a win under their belt, not bad for a brand new expansion franchise. Freight Coach and General Manager Dixie Wooten has put together a team that is competitive and should make plenty of noise this season in the Indoor Football League.
Freight kicker Michael Balog struggled, missing some extra point attempts and missing a field goal. But, the season is young and there is time to turn such things around.
The Fishers Freight have their home opener April 4th, 7pm, at the Fishers Event Center. Tickets are available at this link.