Allen Wranglers are tough playoff draw for Fever

KENNEWICK -- When Tri-Cities Fever coach Adam Shackleford looks at his team's next opponent, the Allen Wranglers -- the Indoor Football League teams meet in Texas at 4:35 p.m. Saturday for the Intense Conference championship -- he sees a high-performing squad.

"They are playing as well as any football team is right now," Shackleford said. "They don't make mistakes. They don't turn the ball over. They're not flashy. They're not overly talented in some spots. But what they do is play solid football and take advantage of your mistakes."

Allen coach Chris MacKeown says he doesn't agree with Shackleford.

"From my perspective, I think we make a lot of mistakes," MacKeown said. "Honestly, what I really like is the character of this team. We've gone through an ownership change, and that can affect a team. But these guys have had resiliency."

MacKeown says it hasn't been about personal accolades for this team.

After an early-season road loss to Fairbanks, MacKeown said standout running back-safety Dedrick Poole approached him.

"He said: 'Coach, you guys are doing your job. We're not holding up our end. We'll get it taken care of.' Winning games are important to these guys. This is a character team."

Shackleford, hired by MacKeown for his first indoor coaching job, said the Allen coach is a big key to the team's success.

"He has the ability to be balanced offensively," Shackleford said. "He has the ability with his quarterback (Kewan Dewberry) to move the ball through the air. He is probably the best X's-and-O's coach I have ever been around."

MacKeown said he's concerned after watching the Fever on film.

"Honestly, they are the best team we will face this season," MacKeown said. "They are extremely athletic and well-coached. I am surprised they lost four games this season."

MacKeown pointed out that while both teams have four losses, the Wranglers have lost to playoff teams (West Texas and Fairbanks) as well as struggling franchises (Nebraska and Amarillo).

"Tri-Cities lost to Colorado and Fairbanks twice," he said. "Those are some good teams."

* Allen isn't too far from Dallas.

But it was still no picnic for Fever owner Teri Carr to get her team into town this week.

"Are you kidding?" Carr said. "I've got the players going in on five different flights."

Carr said she could have gotten the team all on one flight. But on such short notice, it would have cost her an extra $400 to $500 per player to do that.

With 26 members of the team -- players, coaches, the trainer and radio man Michael McDonnal -- that's a lot of extra money.

Going deep into the IFL playoffs is a double-edged sword. You enjoy the success, but it costs you more money.

"That's true," Carr said. "There is some relief given from the home team because they have the opportunity to make money. And there is some relief given by the league."

It doesn't alleviate all the costs.

"On the other hand, it's money well spent at that point," Carr said. "I'd rather be in the playoffs and hope that success carries over into the next season."

This story was originally published July 8, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Allen Wranglers are tough playoff draw for Fever."