I know the state of disappointment is vast at a time like this. Only one loss last season for the Fishers Tigers and a state championship. This year, an undefeated season going into the state championship game.
It was a heartbreaking one-point overtime loss that prevented the Tigers from a second straight state title. It was a game that could have gone either way and took a last-second shot by Jeff to take the 4A title in 2025.
What this group of players has accomplished remains amazing and this will go down as a group of players in Indiana basketball history as one of the best teams ever over two seasons.
I am confident each member of this team will be headed to very good things ahead. Hold your heads up high. You have earned the respect and admiration of Fishers.
Wrangler QB CJ Fowler loses control of the football, it’s snatched by defensive lineman for the Freight Izaiah Reed, he runs it back for a TD (photo from IFL Network broadcast)
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.
GLENS FALLS – Despite dominating the shot count and earning all the power plays in the game, the Indy Fuel fell 1-0 to the Adirondack Thunder on Saturday night, marking their second consecutive shutout loss.
The game’s lone goal came in the first period when Adirondack’s Ryan Smith capitalized on a shorthanded opportunity at 14:01, beating Fuel goaltender Ryan Ouellette with an assist from Friedmann. Indy had its chances, including Colin Bilek ringing the crossbar twice, but could not find the back of the net.
The Fuel continued to pressure Adirondack’s netminder, Isaac Welsch, outshooting the Thunder 31-20. However, Welsch stood tall, turning away every attempt, including key saves in the final minutes when Indy pulled Ouellette for an extra attacker.
Tensions flared in the second period with a fight between Nathan Burke and Wheeler, but neither team found the scoreboard in the final 40 minutes.
The Fuel will look to bounce back at home on Tuesday when they host the Toledo Walleye at the Fishers Event Center.
With the weather beginning to warm, look for more road projects to pop up throughout the area. Along with the updates for ongoing projects, some new localized updates are on this week’s list.
Here is the full listing of area road construction for the work week beginning Monday, March 31, as provided by the City of Fishers:
GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – Despite riding the momentum of a shootout victory earlier in the week, the Indy Fuel couldn’t solve Adirondack goaltender Isaac Brodeur on Friday night, falling 3-0 to the Thunder at Cool Insuring Arena. The game was a physical battle, with a staggering 74 combined penalty minutes, but Indy was unable to capitalize on key power play opportunities.
Adirondack struck first late in the frame when Grant Loven netted his ninth goal of the season at 19:35, assisted by Ryan Conroy and Brendan Less. Despite trailing 1-0, the Fuel held a 12-8 edge in shots on goal.
Indy came out aggressive in the second, searching for an equalizer, but instead, Adirondack doubled its lead when Greg Smith scored his sixth goal of the year from Jake Busby and Shane Fox.
The Fuel continued to press offensively but were stymied by a tripping penalty against Lucas Brenton at 17:07. They successfully killed off the penalty but headed into the final period down 2-0, still leading in shots 22-14.
The final frame saw an explosion of penalties and physicality. The Thunder’s Hussain Ebrahim took a delay of game penalty at 3:19, giving Indy an early power play opportunity, but they couldn’t break through Brodeur’s defense.
More penalties piled up, including a 5-on-3 advantage for the Fuel following a high-sticking call on Adirondack’s Patrick Wheeler and a boarding penalty on Conroy. However, Indy failed to convert, and the missed opportunity proved costly.
Adirondack put the game out of reach at 14:47 when Alex Gervais scored, assisted by Loven and Busby, making it 3-0.
Then, tempers boiled over. At 15:56, Adirondack’s Ryan Tucker and Wheeler, along with Indy’s Jordan Martin and Conroy, engaged in multiple scrums, leading to double minors and a misconduct for continuing an altercation. A minute later, Farmer and Gulka dropped the gloves, followed by Bilek and Gervais getting fighting majors and misconducts before the puck even dropped.
When the dust settled, the Fuel had outshot the Thunder 30-22 but couldn’t solve Brodeur, who secured his fourth professional shutout.
Indy will get another shot at Adirondack on Saturday night before returning home for a showdown with the Toledo Walleye on Tuesday, 7pm, at the Fishers Event Center.
Hamilton County has secured the highest possible credit rating from Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Global Ratings, with a ‘AAA’ long-term rating assigned to its upcoming $36 million Series 2025 ad valorem property tax lease rental bonds. S&P also reaffirmed the county’s ‘AAA’ rating on its existing general obligation and lease debt, maintaining a stable financial outlook.
The bond proceeds will fund the construction of a state-of-the-art public safety training facility for local police and fire departments. The center will feature classroom space, a four-story fire training burn tower, a SWAT training area, an outdoor firing range, and an EMA training area. Officials anticipate breaking ground on the project later this year.
“We are proud to be able to fund this important public safety project with low-cost borrowing,” said Steve Dillinger, president of the Hamilton County Commissioners. “Our strong rating and stable outlook will allow us to finance essential projects, like the new training center, without placing additional burden on the taxpayer.”
S&P’s report highlighted Hamilton County’s “robust tax-base growth” and “strong budgetary management practices.” It also recognized the county’s status as one of Indiana’s wealthiest, emphasizing its ability to manage debt levels effectively.
“We are thrilled to receive the ‘AAA’ rating,” said Sue Maki, president of the Hamilton County Council. “It underscores our county’s sound fiscal management, strong economic growth, and future financial stability.”
The Air1 Worship Now Tour, featuring award-winning Christian artists Phil Wickham, Charity Gayle, Josh Baldwin, and Benjamin William Hastings, will stop at the Fishers Event Center on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
Tickets will be available starting with a venue presale on Tuesday, April 8, at noon using the code “FAITH.” General ticket sales begin Thursday, April 10, at 12 p.m. ET via FishersEventCenter.com and Ticketmaster.com.
Phil Wickham, a GRAMMY®-nominated artist known for hits like “House of the Lord” and “Living Hope,” leads a lineup of worship artists bringing faith-filled music to the stage. Charity Gayle, Josh Baldwin, and Benjamin William Hastings will also showcase their powerful voices and chart-topping songs, creating an evening of inspiration and praise.
Mayor Scott Fadness hands out pins to Vietnam Vets
The Vietnam War Veterans Day event at Fishers City Hall had to be delayed a few minutes because people were still circling the area trying to find a parking spot. That’s how many people were in attendance for the commemoration of the sacrifice made by military veterans of that controversial Asian conflict.
Fishers Armed Services Commission Chair El Ahlwardt was the MC and became emotional as he reflected on how Vietnam Veterans were treated upon their return home. Many were told not to wear their military uniforms in public once back in the States.
The featured speaker was Jill Fewell, the Executive Director of Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans, and also serves as President of the Indiana Gold Star Families. She wrote a book, A Time To Honor, featuring personal stories of Vietnam veterans living in Indiana.
Ms. Fewell, Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and State Senator Kyle Walker handed out pins to the Vietnam vets in attendance.
Find out more about the annual national Vietnam War commemoration at this link.
El Ahlwardt became emotional during his remarksThe empty chair signifies POW-MIAs still missing from past wars (remembrance by American Legion Post 470)
The wait is over and it is time for the Fishers Freight franchise in the Indoor Football League to take the field. The Freight’s first game will be on the road in Northern Arizona Saturday night. Then, the Freight will host their first home game April 4, Friday, 7pm, at the Fishers Event Center. Tickets are available for the home opener at this link.
Training camp is over. Head Coach Dixie Wooten and his staff have finalized the roster for the 2025 season. The roster can be found using this link.
You can watch the Freight’s first game on the road in Arizona, and all games home and away, by subscribing to the IFL Network. There is a free 30 day trial. Use this link for registration and more information.
To see the full Freight schedule for their inaugural season, the link is here.
I have seen the Indoor Football League in person and on television. It is an exciting brand of football. I would recommend you at least try it.
Here are a couple of podcasts I have produced recently, one with Freight Coach and General Manager Dixie Wooten, and a podcast with Indoor Football League Commissioner Todd Tryon, at the links below.
Harrison Parkway Elementary School is set to have new LED lighting installed that will result in projected energy cost savings and improved lighting. The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board Facilities Committee heard about the plans from HSE Schools Facilities Director Matt Rapp Thursday morning.
The cost of the LED lighting installation is listed as $179,498.76. However, Duke Energy will provide a rebate of $33, 213.20. That means the cost to HSE Schools will be $146,285.56. Rapp says the savings estimate from this project over 11 years will total $267, 138.44.
The committee received the following updates on construction projects:
–The renovation of Fishers Elementary remains on time and on budget as work continues on the interior and exterior walls, as well as stormwater storage.
–The $34.5 million Fall Creek Intermediate project is set to begin as school ends in late May.
–The $15 million plans at Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate & Junior High are also on track to begin in late May.
–Durbin, the former elementary school, will be the home for The HSE Schools Academy and renovation work continues to ready that facility for its new function.
