Photo: 6 Kieran Page and 23 Eddie McClendon work on bringing down Freight quarterback 18 Jiya Wright
The newest team in the IFL came to town and went home with their very first win in franchise history. Fishers Freight took advantage of a pair of costly turnovers to flip the script, overcoming an eight point halftime deficit to go on and beat the Northern Arizona Wranglers 41-29.
Photo: 12 CJ Fowler on his way to the first Wranglers touchdown of the season
Northern Arizona jumped on top when quarterback CJ Fowler scampered in to score. Brandon Fischer added the extra point for a 7-0 lead. Fishers Freight struggled as the Wranglers defense dominated early.
The Wranglers led 21-13 at the half on a pair of touchdowns runs by CJ Fowler and Kinsey Jr. A TD pass from Fowler to Smith at the end of the half boosted the lead to eight points.
The Freight came out with a chip on their shoulder and shutdown the NAZ offense, taking advantage of turnovers, and with an effective offensive plan, scored three times in the third quarter to lead 33-21.
The Freight added another touchdown to lead 39-21 before the Wranglers offense could get going again, resulting in a touchdown run up the middle by Kinsey. A two point conversion cut the deficit to 39-29, but a late safety when backup QB Christian Arrambide was sacked in the end zone with under a minute to play that brought an end to the Wranglers chances.
Freight quarterback Jiya Wright threw for just 47 yards on four completions, but it was his legs that made the difference. Wright rushed for 117 yards on 20 carries including two big touchdowns.
Running back Jon Wright scored the other two offensive touchdowns.
The Wranglers offense was led by quarterback CJ Fowler went 13-28 for 90 yards and a touchdown, but it was the two interceptions that proved the most costly.
Photo: 5 Darius Johnson led the Wranglers with 8 tackles goes after 22 Jon Lewis
Darius Johnson led the Wrangler defense with 8 tackles, two of those for loss of yardage by the Freight.
After a Sunday game on April 13 at the Bay Area, Northern Arizona returns home to host the Tucson Sugar Skulls on Saturday, April 19 at 6:05 pm.
FISHERS FREIGHT 41, NORTHERN ARIZONA WRANGLERS 29
Score by Quarters- 1 2 3 4 – T
Fishers Freight 0 13 20 8 – 41
Northern Arizona 7 14 0 8 – 29
