The Fishers Freight opened the 2026 Indoor Football League season on a high note last week, using disciplined play to limit penalties and turnovers in a home victory over a strong Quad City Steamwheelers squad.

That formula didn’t travel well to Green Bay on Saturday night.

Facing the Green Bay Blizzard, the Freight were plagued by turnovers and costly penalties, digging a hole too deep to overcome despite a spirited second-half rally. Green Bay took control early, building a 35-16 halftime lead and putting Fishers on its heels.

The first half was a difficult watch for Freight fans, as miscues stalled drives and extended possessions for the Blizzard. At intermission, the outcome appeared all but decided.

But the second half told a different story.

Coach Dixie Wooten’s squad showed resilience, regrouping and mounting a determined comeback. Fishers chipped away at the deficit, tightening its defense and finding more rhythm offensively. What had looked like a runaway turned into a competitive contest in the closing minutes.

The Freight ultimately fell short, losing 51-42, but not before making Green Bay earn the victory down to the final seconds of regulation.

If there is a takeaway from the trip to Wisconsin, it is the team’s refusal to quit. Even after a first half riddled with mistakes, the Freight battled back and gave themselves a chance. Eliminating the turnovers and penalties that defined the opening half could prove the difference in future games.

One additional note: the game was streamed on Yahoo Sports as part of the league’s broadcast package. While the video production continues to meet a high standard, the booth commentary at times detracted from the broadcast. Analysis and critique are part of any telecast, but the frequency of second-guessing—often play after play—became noticeable.

The league has made a strong investment in expanding its digital reach. Continued refinement of the on-air product would further enhance the viewing experience for fans following the IFL online.

The Indy Fuel turned in a dominant performance Saturday night, defeating the Utah Grizzlies 4-0 in the second game of a back-to-back series.

Indy appeared to strike early when Eric Martin found the net just minutes into the first period, but the goal was overturned following a review for goaltender interference. The Fuel regrouped and broke through later in the period when captain Chris Cameron scored at the 16:03 mark, assisted by Jesse Tucker and Alex DiPaolo, giving Indy a 1-0 lead after one.

The Fuel extended their advantage early in the second period. DiPaolo notched his second point of the night, scoring off assists from Cody Laskosky and Matt Petgrave to make it 2-0. Despite being outshot 14-13 through two periods, Indy’s defense held firm and killed off multiple penalties to maintain control.

In the third, the Fuel continued to apply pressure. Michael Marchesan added an insurance goal at 14:39, with assists from Dustin Manz and Christian Berger. Just two minutes later, Jordan Martin capped the scoring, finishing off a play set up by Tyler Weiss and Jay Ahearn.

Goaltender Mitchell Weeks anchored the shutout effort, recording his sixth shutout with the Fuel—a franchise record he already held.

The win marks another strong showing for Indy, which has now outscored Utah by a combined 8-0 over the first two games of the series. The teams are scheduled to meet again Sunday afternoon to wrap up the weekend set.

The weekly Fishers-area road construction report contains many details, so check it carefully for any impact it may have to your travels.

The full listing, as provided by the City of Fishers, is here:

Continue reading Fishers area road construction update →

The Indy Ignite continued their march toward the postseason Thursday night, defeating the Columbus Fury 3-1 at Fishers Event Center.

The Ignite took control early and never fully relinquished it, winning the first two sets 25-17 and 25-18 before the Fury rallied to take the third set 25-19. Indy closed out the match in the fourth set, 25-16, to secure the victory.

With the win, the Ignite reinforced their position as one of the top teams in Major League Volleyball, continuing a stretch of strong play that has kept them near the top of the league standings throughout the season.

Indy’s balanced attack and consistency proved to be the difference. The Ignite controlled the tempo in the opening two sets, using efficient offense and solid defensive play to build early momentum. Columbus showed resilience in the third set, capitalizing on a brief dip from Indy to extend the match, but the home team responded decisively in the fourth.

The victory also continues a trend in the season series between the two clubs. The Ignite previously swept the Fury in late February and have consistently had the upper hand in the matchup.

Thursday’s result comes during a busy stretch of matches in March, with the Ignite building momentum at a critical point in the season. The team has won multiple recent matches, including a straight-set victory over Orlando earlier in the month and a four-set win over Grand Rapids, helping solidify its playoff positioning.

The Ignite are looking to build on last season’s success, when they advanced to the league championship match before falling to Orlando.

With the postseason approaching, every match carries added importance—and Thursday night’s performance showed a team continuing to find its rhythm at the right time.

A new partnership between Hamilton Southeastern Schools and SMC Corporation of America is opening the door to high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing for local students.

The collaboration, announced this week, includes the donation of three Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines valued at more than $155,000. The equipment will be used by students at Hamilton Southeastern High School to gain hands-on experience in precision engineering, fabrication, and machining.

School officials say the investment is part of a broader effort to better align classroom learning with workforce needs in a region where advanced manufacturing continues to grow.

Within a 10-mile radius of HSE campuses, three advanced manufacturing companies generate a combined $6.3 billion in annual revenue. Despite that economic impact, there remains a growing demand for skilled workers trained in precision machining and related fields.

“This partnership is a powerful example of what’s possible when education and industry come together with a shared purpose,” said interim superintendent Dr. Matt Kegley in a statement. “Students are gaining hands-on experience, earning valuable credentials, and seeing a clear connection between what they learn in school and the opportunities ahead.”

The new CNC machines will enhance the district’s precision machining program, a two- to three-year course sequence designed to mirror industry standards. Students enrolled in the program can earn up to 48 college credits through Ivy Tech Community College, along with industry-recognized certifications from organizations such as the National Institute for Metalworking Skills and the American Welding Society.

In addition to classroom instruction, students will have opportunities to participate in capstone experiences, including paid internships with SMC.

“By providing students with modernized CNC equipment, we’re helping them gain hands-on experience in precision engineering and machining—skills that are in high demand,” said Kelley Stacy, president and CEO of SMC Corporation of America. “Partnerships like this are key to connecting students with real-world opportunities and ensuring our region continues to thrive.”

Courses supported through the program include Principles of Precision Machining, Precision Machining Fundamentals, Advanced Precision Machining, and a capstone course focused on CNC programming, machine setup, and manufacturing processes.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and student demonstrations are scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, March 23 at Hamilton Southeastern High School, located at 12499 Olio Road in Fishers. School officials say the event will showcase the new equipment and highlight how students are preparing for careers in high-wage, high-skill fields.

The partnership reflects a growing emphasis on career-focused education, aimed at strengthening the local workforce while providing students with clear pathways from the classroom to employment.

When the Fishers Freight opened their 2025 inaugural Indoor Football League season with two straight wins, they quickly became the talk of the league.

Behind the early success, however, there were signs of concern within the coaching staff.

Head Coach Dixie Wooten sensed his players might be buying into the hype a bit too much. Whether that played a role or not, the Freight soon hit a rough stretch, dropping nine consecutive games.

To their credit, Wooten and his staff stayed the course. They made key roster adjustments and steadily regrouped. The payoff came late in the season, as the Freight closed with five straight victories—offering a glimpse of the team’s potential.

That late-season surge is now carrying over into 2026.

Wooten has retained 15 players from last year’s strong finish, providing continuity and experience. Additions along the offensive line and in the receiving corps have further strengthened the roster, and the Freight are once again drawing attention across the league.

That attention is now reflected in the latest Indoor Football League coaches poll.

The Green Bay Blizzard claimed the top spot—no surprise after avenging last year’s championship game loss to Las Vegas. But the biggest development in the rankings came just behind them.

The Fishers Freight checked in at No. 2.

The ranking suggests league coaches—who regularly study game film and evaluate talent across the IFL—are taking notice of the progress Wooten and his staff have made in reshaping the team.

The Freight will have an immediate opportunity to validate that respect. They travel to Wisconsin on Saturday night to face the top-ranked Blizzard. The winner could very well claim the No. 1 position in the next coaches poll.

Still, if last season proved anything, it’s that success in the IFL is a marathon, not a sprint.

For the Freight, the challenge now is simple: keep the momentum going.

A proposed media merger, a growing federal pay crisis, and an inspiring student achievement all come together in this week’s Fridays With Larry—a snapshot of how national decisions and local stories intersect in Central Indiana.

At the top of the conversation is the planned merger between Nexstar Media Group and TEGNA Inc., two of the largest owners of local television stations in the country. While the deal is still under scrutiny, concerns are already being raised about what further consolidation could mean for viewers—fewer independent voices, less local coverage, and potentially higher costs for consumers.

Meanwhile, a stalemate in Washington is creating uncertainty for thousands of federal workers. Employees of the Department of Homeland Security—including frontline staff with the Transportation Security Administration—are continuing to work without pay as funding issues remain unresolved. With spring break travel ramping up, the situation could lead to staffing shortages and delays at airports across the country, raising concerns for Hoosiers planning to get away.

But it’s not all uncertainty and frustration. This week’s show also shines a spotlight on a remarkable local achievement. Hope Morcombe, a senior at Fishers High School, has earned the prestigious Gold Award from Girl Scouts of the USA—recognizing her dedication to science and her unique passion for sharks.

It’s a week that underscores both the challenges facing our institutions and the promise found in the next generation—topics that take center stage in the latest episode of Fridays With Larry.

Fridays With Larry is sponsored by Citizens State Bank.

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