Harvey Settles In
Published on August 25, 2021 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Frisco Fighters News Release
In the second quarter of the Fighters bout with Spokane three weeks ago, Frisco's newest addition stepped in front of a pass and returned it for the franchise's first pick-six. In getting to know Tre Harvey, however, the feat doesn't come as too much of a surprise.
A lot of the play was based on instinct, the rookie linebacker said. He could tell by the tailback's approach that he was about to run a route. Harvey broke on the pass, and next he knew, he was in the endzone, football in tote. The cheers of the crowd brought him to.
"It didn't even click to me until I crossed that goal-line," Harvey said. He laughed and thought, "Wow, I just really took that to the house."
A tight end in college at East Central University, Harvey came into the pros with some scouts picturing him on the defensive side of the football. When he got to Quad City for camp as a receiver, the Steamwheelers kept a door open for him to try his hand at linebacker. It didn't take long for his coach to move him there.
He only had the chance to play in one game before the pandemic. Not only was the contest his first in indoor football, but it was also the first he'd played linebacker since high school. Like most others new to the league, Harvey quickly picked up on the game's hasty pace and intimate setting.
"I played basketball in high school and loved it," Harvey said. "It brings, kind of, that football atmosphere inside of the basketball-type arena. It's the best of both worlds for me, in that aspect. I love the fans and I love football."
His receiver speed gets him around heftier blockers and, when needed, helps put pressure on the passer and disrupt opposing attacks. His background gives him an edge in spotting tendencies and knowing what to prepare for.
"I was on the other side of the ball for such a long time, I know what the offense is thinking," Harvey said. "I know what schemes they're looking for. Coming into the IFL as a receiver allowed me to understand the game on the offensive side. That just allows me to be the best player I can be."
Still getting used to his adopted placement, Harvey doesn't see the fairly recent transition as a detriment during game action.
"You can be playing the same position your whole life and there are still going to be things that you're critiquing and trying to perfect," he said. "In all reality, you're never going to have a perfect game. If you truly want to get better, there's going to be something that you can find that you didn't do well at."
An example, in Harvey's case, was realizing that he sometimes has to keep his speed in check. He was overrunning ball carriers, taking the wrong path to the point of attack.
With the Steamwheelers sitting for the 2021 campaign, Harvey followed his coach to Bismarck. He won the position battle for his spot but tested positive for COVID-19 before the Bucks' opener. Later in the schedule, after some changes made by his coaches, Harvey felt it would be in his best interests to get out of North Dakota.
After a CFL tryout, Frisco came calling and Harvey landed where he said he originally wanted to.
"Being able to join a team and an organization that has been working so hard and has put themselves in the position they're in, it's just a blessing," Harvey said. "It's been everything I've pictured in being a pro athlete."
Harvey and the Fighters' first-ranked scoring defense will look to tame the Spokane Shock for a third time this season at Comerica Center for the first round of playoffs on Saturday evening.
Indoor Football League Stories from August 25, 2021
- Pirates Reach New Heights with Low Numbers - Massachusetts Pirates
- Week 18 Players of the Week Named - IFL
- Transactional Roundup - Massachusetts Pirates
- Harvey Settles In - Frisco Fighters
- Rattlers Host Round One of IFL Playoffs Sunday - Arizona Rattlers
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