Fishers Freight coach Dixie Wooten made two points in his postgame interview Saturday night from Quad City. He praised his defense in the 49-35 win over the Steamwheelers, and he made it clear that even though his team has a bye week ahead, no one will be taking the week off.

The reason is simple. The Freight (8-7) close the regular season at home against the Orlando Pirates on Sunday, July 26, 4pm at the Fishers Event Center. A win over the Pirates should guarantee the local franchise’s first playoff berth in just its second season.

Coach Wooten could just as easily have praised kicker Calum Sutherland. Sutherland booted four deuces — kickoffs through the uprights, worth two points each in the IFL — for eight points. The Freight also picked up a safety (two points and the ball back) and what the IFL calls a rouge, a single point for tackling the returner in the end zone on a kickoff. That’s 11 points from special teams and defensive pressure alone, and it was a big factor in the 14-point margin in Moline.

Every road win is a tough one in the IFL, and this was no exception. Quad City struggled early in the season but had beaten some good teams in recent weeks. Fishers knew winning this contest was a requirement to stay in the playoff picture, and the Freight delivered a convincing win.

Now, Coach Wooten and his team have about two weeks to prepare for the most important game the Freight have ever played in their short history. Win on July 26, and Fishers is in the postseason. It should be a great atmosphere.

If you want to be a part of it, tickets are available for the July 26 game, 4pm at the Fishers Event Center.