Local sports fans will soon have a new reason to nurse a lost voice at the end of the weekend.
Fishers Freight indoor football is coming to Indianapolis’ north side. And if the rumors are true, it’s going to be epic.
Fishers Freight is the latest team to join the Indoor Football League (IFL) at the brand-new Fishers Event Center. The team will launch their inaugural season with an away game against the Northern Arizona Wranglers in Prescott Valley, Arizona, on March 29, followed by their first home game against the Tulsa Oilers on April 4. Team Owner Jim Hallett expressed his excitement about offering another fun, affordable family experience in the Indianapolis area.
Leading Fishers Freight into their inaugural season is Head Coach Dixie Wooten. Joined by his son, Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach Dixie Wooten III, Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach Chuck Miller, and Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Back Coach Kiante Northington, Wooten is fully prepared to launch his first season as head coach for the Fishers Freight.
“Fishers Freight is going to be huge,” he says. “This is the league’s first time in Fishers and we’re expecting a warm welcome from the community. We’ve got a new venue and we’ll be seeing teams from all over the nation play in our city.”
Wooten brings years of experience as a former player and coach within the league. He fell in love with the game as a player of nine years and put his expertise to work as the first head coach to lead the Iowa Barnstormers to a championship, following that up with a championship win for the Bay Area Panthers armed with only a two-year-old team.
Wooten chose 38 players to join the team after tryouts last year. He based his assessments on athletic prowess, but also the inclusive presence and positive character of those vying for the team. The new head coach targeted winning players that will also help build up the surrounding communities.
“My team needs to have qualities that show they can be a positive force in the community,” he says. “I always ask deeper questions. What do they do outside of football? How do they help make people around them better? I want to know they have experience in helping out with youth, seniors and others in the community. We want to further the sport with surrounding youth and instill a love of the game in our city.”
Joining the team are veteran players J.T. Stokes, wide receiver with an explosive presence and experienced mindset, Jeremy Cooper, offensive lineman from the University of Cincinnati, and LaQuinston Sharp, offensive lineman from Mississippi State, among others.
“We’re building a great team for Fishers,” says Wooten. “We’ve been very strategic and we’re bringing a strong offensive line.”
Wooten encourages people to come check out one or all of their eight home games this season, and he promises a day full of entertainment starting well before kickoff. Fans can expect tailgate-style events with food vendors, music, games and much more.
“Get there early,” he says. “We want to have fun before the games kick off and get the excitement going before everyone heads inside.”
Fans can choose their favorite sponsored nights to maximize their fun, from breast cancer awareness to superhero nights. Autographs will also be available from players before and after the games. It’ll be a night packed with family fun.
“When you come to one, you’re going to want to come to every last one of them,” says Wooten.
Fans also have a chance to catch and keep a game-day football. All balls in the stands are fair game.
Wooten credits Jim and Sean Hallett, along with Larry McQueary, with the team’s creation, noting their contributions to the Fishers community and the addition of Fishers Freight to the IFL.
To learn more about Fishers Freight, go to fishersfreightfootball.com.
