Wilson Back Leading the Fever Defense
March 30, 2016 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tri-Cities Fever News Release
Brandon Wilson hinted toward the end of last season, that it would be his last. He was part of a group of Tri-Cities Fever veterans who returned for one final season in hopes of winning the Indoor Football League championship.
Things didn't quite go according to plan for Wilson on so many levels. The Fever did not reach the ultimate goal a year ago, losing in the playoffs in the Intense Conference championship to the Nebraska Danger. That was expected to be Wilson's final game.
He was OK with his decision to walk away and pursue other avenues until he showed up on opening night a few weeks ago to watch the Fever play the Spokane Empire. It's pretty evidence Wilson had an itch to get back on the field. A phone call and less than two weeks later Wilson was back on the field and starting on defense for the Fever.
"I called coach (Ryan) Lingenfelder and told him I wanted to help this team," Wilson said. "We talked and came to an agreement."
Wilson, one of the Fever all-time greats, made his 2016 season at home on March 5 against the Billings Wolves. Wilson, who has shed 25 pounds since last season, recorded six tackles and assisted on a tackle-for-loss.
"We've happy to have him here," Lingenfelder said. "I have worked with him and he knows the system."
Wilson joined the Fever during the 2011 season and helped the team to the IFL title games in 2011 and 2012. Now in his sixth season with the Fever, Wilson has played in more than 50 regular season games. Wilson and Lingenfelder are hoping his experience can help lead a Tri-Cities team that is off to a slow start in 2016.
The Fever is 1-3 through the first four games, and been close in all three of its losses with a chance to win late.
"We are right there, we just need to learn how to close the games out," Wilson said. "We have a lot of young talented guys out there. Hopefully, we can get this turned around."
Tri-Cities returns home Friday night to take on the Colorado Crush, formally the Colorado Ice. Colorado is the lone winless team in the IFL the season at 0-4.
Notes: The Fever signed running back Rob Brown (5-foot-8, 180 pounds) last week after releasing two running backs the previous week. Offensive lineman Christian Tausaga (6-0, 330) was activated from injured reserve and Maurice Chavis (6-2, 275) was placed on short-term injured reserve.
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Indoor Football League Stories from March 30, 2016
- Week 6 Players of the Week Announced - IFL
- Danger Look to Rebound against Wolves - Nebraska Danger
- Iowa Barnstormers at Spokane Empire Game Preview - Iowa Barnstormers
- Wilson Back Leading the Fever Defense - Tri-Cities Fever
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