Updates from Chris Dixon

trying to make it to the next level

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:41:49 GMT

trying to make it to the next level

UIF to merge with Intense Football League

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:39:27 GMT

By MIKE ZIMMER
Gazette Sports Editor
The Billings Outlaws' road to a league championship in 2009 could stretch from Corpus Christi, Texas, to Fairbanks, Alaska - a mere 8,517-mile round trip.

On Thursday, the United Indoor Football league (UIF) announced that it will merge with the Intense Football League (IFL) for the 2009 season.

"This is a move that will bring both credibility and stability to indoor football," IFL communications director Paul Winfrey said in a press release. "The IFL and UIF are two of the sport's most stable business organizations. Combining strengths and resources will create a partnership that will insure the long-term growth of the sport."

Winfrey said the new league's name will be announced on Aug. 3. Other details of the new league, such as conference and divisional alignments, final expansion for the 2009 season and playing rules, will be decided at the first-ever league meetings to be held in mid-September in Omaha, Neb.
The eight-team UIF currently includes teams in Billings, Sioux Falls, S.D., Fort Collins, Colo., Omaha, Neb., Sioux City, Iowa, Bloomington, Ill., Wichita, Kan., and St. Joseph, Mo.

The nine-team IFL currently includes six teams in Texas, one in Louisiana and two in Alaska - Fairbanks and Anchorage.

At least three additional cities have applied for franchises in the new league, meaning the league could include as many as 20 teams for the 2009 season.

"This merger of existing and long tenured teams is the most exciting thing to happen in indoor football," said Outlaws owner Mike Parnell. "It validates the UIF's model of teams owning the league and running the league in the same way that the NFL and Major League Baseball do.

"This new league will be the largest in indoor football and will have the most prestigious and continuously operating teams, great regional rivalries and significant opportunities for further expansion. The new combined dues income stream will also allow for some really fun marketing and branding investments."

Outlaws coach Heron O'Neal said the new league will be No. 2 in all of indoor football, ranking below only the Arena Football League.

"With this merger, I think we definitely surpass A2 (the arenafootball2 league)," said O'Neal. "We'll have teams all over the map, and teams with good, solid ownership. The UIF and IFL don't add teams just to add them. They do their research and make sure that the owners are solid financially.

"I'm looking forward to the added exposure and the added competition. And I'm definitely looking forward to taking a trip to Alaska to play those two teams."

Both the UIF and IFL will conclude their fourth season of play on Saturday, Aug. 2 when the league champions of both leagues meet in Sioux Falls, S.D., in what is being called the National Indoor Bowl. The UIF champion Sioux Falls Storm will host either the Corpus Christi Hammerheads or the Louisiana Swashbucklers, who meet for the IFL title Saturday in Lake Charles, La.

Louisiana has been the IFL's dominant team for the past two seasons. The Swashbucklers went 15-1 and won the league championship in 2007 and are 15-0 this season heading into Saturday's title game.

The new league will be the fourth league in the 10-year history of Billings indoor football. Billings teams have played in the Indoor Football League (2000), National Indoor Football League (2001-05) and UIF (2007-08).

West All-Stars beat East All-Stars; Dixon is Perfe...

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:18:40 GMT

Chris Dixon was a perfect 13-13 179yds 4TD, in 3Quarters as the starter for the West All-Stars. West Wins 57-39

http://www.qkstats.net/UIF/2008/uifindex.htm

Storm Defeat Outlaws for Western Conference Title

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 09:18:52 GMT

With an Adam Hicks kick, the Storm continued their habit of reaching championship games.

The sixth field goal of the night by the six-year veteran, a straightaway shot from 25 yards out as time expired, gave Sioux Falls a 46-44 victory against Billings and a fifth consecutive conference title before a crowd of 4,387.

It also saved the Storm from a bitter defeat - they led by 20 with the ball late in the third quarter - and clinched another game at the Arena, where they have won 30 games in a row.

Sioux Falls (12-3), aiming for a fourth consecutive United Indoor Football championship, will host the River City Rage or the Bloomington Extreme on July 12 in United Bowl IV.

"It was a huge win," Storm coach Kurtiss Riggs said, "and we're deserving of being in the championship again."

That seemed a mere formality for much of the contest.

Sioux Falls allowed just 51 yards in the first half against an Outlaws squad that had been averaging a league-best 51 points per game. The Storm led 30-10 and had the ball inside of three minutes remaining in the third.

But in less than four minutes, Billings (11-4) came up with a defensive stop, scored a touchdown, forced a turnover and scored another touchdown to get within 30-24 still with more than 13 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

What's more, Sioux Falls veteran quarterback Terrance Bryant had been dinged on his throwing shoulder. He didn't respond well to a shot administered by team doctors and spent the last quarter and a half on the sideline, although Riggs said after the game that the early indication is he should be OK for United Bowl.

The chase was on.

The Outlaws took a 44-43 lead with 52 seconds remaining on an extra point that followed a 10-yard touchdown run by quarterback Chris Dixon, the league MVP.

"Nothing really changed," Sioux Falls defensive back Justin Landis said of the difference between the first half and the second. "We just started making mistakes, missed tackles, had blown coverages. We just made mistakes. When we needed to make a play, we didn't."

Yet they made several in the final minute.

It started with Bryan Alberty - who fumbled earlier - returning the kickoff into Billings territory and ended with Hicks making good from 25 yards out as time expired. Riggs said he never thought about shooting for the end zone because Hicks, who played at the University of South Dakota, had been "money." He finished the night 6 of 8, hitting from 46, 40, 18, 45, 38 and 25 yards.

"I missed my first one and then later on I missed a long one, but all night I felt pretty good," said Hicks, who recalled hitting six field goals and a game-winner against Billings early in his pro career. "I was pretty mad about my kickoffs, but other than that I felt pretty good all night."

All-Star Coaches Named Plus Additional Festivitie...

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 07:08:45 GMT

07/11/2008 10:17 PM

(July 9, 2008-Sioux City, IA) Today the Sioux City Bandits as host for the United Indoor Football All Star Classic are pleased to announce the Head Coaches for the July 19 UIF All Star Game. Kickoff is scheduled at 7:05 at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in downtown Sioux City.

Leading the West Squad will be Heron O’Neal from the Billings Outlaws, O’Neal led the Outlaws to a 11-5 record in 2008 and a berth in the UIF semi-finals, where they lost 46-44 to the 3 time champion Sioux Falls Storm on a last second field goal. The East Team will be led by Sioux City Bandits Head Coach Jarrod DeGeorgia. 2008 was DeGeorgia’s first as a Head Coach. Sioux City finished the season 4-11, qualified for the playoffs losing in the first round to the River City Rage 37-33.

This is the second annual All Star Classic with last years game being played in Bloomington at US Cellular Coliseum. Tickets for the game are available at the Tyson Center Box Office, starting at $9.00 for Adults and $6.00 for Kids. Fans can also purchase the All You Can Eat-Bandits Buffet ticket for $24.00. It includes all you can eat hot dogs, taverns, nachos, popcorn, boneless wings, pop, water and beer. The price also includes a ticket in Sec 101 for the game.

In addition the Bandits along with the City of Sioux City and Distinctive Gourmet are hosting the All Star Banquet at 7:00 on Friday July 18 at the Sioux City Convention Center. Tickets are available for $25.00 thru the Tyson Center Box Office.

Finally, the Bandits are holding two touch football games before the All Star Game on Saturday. The event is called the Guns and Hoses Football Classic with all proceeds going to C.S.A.D.V. and the Make A Wish Foundation. At 2 pm the Sioux City Police Dept will play the Sioux City Fire Dept and at 3:30 the Woodbury County Deputies will play the County Rural Fire Departments. Tickets are only $5.00, available at the Tyson Box Office and gets you $5.00 off the price of an Adult Ticket to the All Star Game.

To the Fans: Letter from Outlaws QB Chris Dixon- J...

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 07:04:48 GMT

To: Letters to the Editor

Fr: Chris Dixon, #5 for the Outlaws

Dear Fans,

On behalf of the Billings Outlaws, my teammates and I would like to thank you and our great corporate partners that supported us so enthusiastically this season! Our attendances was almost double every game and in some close games at the Metra this year you were the reason we were able to get through with a win. I would like to send a special thanks to all the companies in and around Billings for all that they do in supporting the team, proudly displaying their banners in our building and letting us know they are there for us. I would also like to thank Mike Zimmer and the Billings Gazette, for the wonderful job they do in reporting our success and our shortcomings to keep our fans involved and invested in our team.

I would also like to thank our Outlaw staff for the hard work and dedication they put in every week to make our home and road games comfortable and enjoyable for us as players. Including the two young men, Tre'von and Austin, who brought water out to us during breaks in the game to keep us hydrated and gave us encouragement.

My heart and affection goes out to Aaliyah, the little 5 yr old girl that suffers from Epilepsy for all that she has taught me about life and how to over come adversity.

Chris Dixon

Chris Dixon Foundation for Kids cdfk.net

CHRIS DIXON ENTERS UIF RECORD BOOKS

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:39:47 GMT

BILLINGS’ CHRIS DIXON ENTERS UIF RECORD BOOKS

06/21/2008 12:55 PM

Omaha, NE – With his 10-yard touchdown pass to Bernie Lewis with 29 seconds remaining in his team’s June 7^th game against the Wichita Wild, Billings Outlaws quarterback Chris Dixon entered the United Indoor Football (UIF) record books.

The touchdown pass was his 60^th touchdown pass on the season, which broke the previous record held by Lexington’s Dusty Bonner and Eddie Eviston. This past weekend, against the RiverCity Rage, Dixon added three more touchdown passes to finish the regular season with 63. He will look to add to his total this weekend when the Outlaws host the Omaha Beef Saturday evening at Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark.

Earlier this week, Dixon was named Most Valuable Player/Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year by a vote of UIF coaches and team beat writers and broadcasters. So far this season, in addition to the 63 touchdown passes, he has completed 264 of 385 passes for 2,882 yards. Dixon leads the Outlaws in rushing with 382 yards and is second on the team with seven rushing touchdowns. He has even caught a touchdown on a one-yard pass thrown by teammate Charles Anthony in the team’s May 24^th game against Sioux Falls. Dixon was recently named to his second UIF All-Star team.

Last season, his first in the UIF, Dixon completed 184 of 286 passes for 1,922 yards and 52 touchdowns in the regular season. In the playoffs, he completed 38 of 49 passes for 378 yards and nine more touchdowns. In all, he finished the 2007 campaign, completing 222 of 335 passes for 2,300 yards and 61 touchdowns.

United Indoor Football is the premier indoor football league of North America and is committed to serving its teams and fans. Please contact the UIF league office with any comments, concerns or suggestions.

Chris Dixon Passing Academy

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:37:50 GMT

Chris Dixon is proud to announce his Passing Academy which will be held at the Billings Sports Plex located at 5000 Southgate Drive, Billings, Montana. Chris has developed his passing academy to give kids a chance to learn from the professional football athletes and coaches here in our community. The academy will help the student athlete develop the techniques and skills necessary to give him/her the competitive advantage over the competition.

This academy will push the student athlete to reach his/her full potential and development. There will be one on one instruction, post film review, confidence development, and skills repetition.

“Our goal is to teach fundamentals and pro-techniques for the Quarterback and Wide Receiver position,” states Dixon.

Student athletes must be between the ages of 8 to 18 years old. There are three sessions: (1) June 30^th – July 2^nd; (2) July 7^th – July 9^th; and the (3) July 14^th – July 16^th. Each session is $120 per person ($310 per person for all three sessions). The entry deadline is the first day of each session.

For more information, please contact Chris Dixon (406) 698-8704 or the Sports Plex at (406) 839-9080.

Outlaws Mighty Might Football League

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:36:02 GMT

The Billings Outlaws, under the direction of Chris Dixon, announce the first ever, Outlaws Mighty Might Football League for kids between the ages of 8 and 9 years old. The league will be held at the Billings Sports Plex, located at 5000 Southgate Drive, Billings, Montana.

The league is designed to develop the skills and knowledge of the younger kids before they enter Little Guy Football at the age of ten. This will be a full pads football league! The league will consist of 6 regular season games, playoffs, and a championship game. We will limit the number of teams to 6. (The standard 8 man indoor football rules apply).

The cost of the league is $110 per player. A tryout will be held (a fee of $30 to tryout) and if you make one of the six teams, your tryout fee will be deducted from the cost of the league. In addition to the games, which will be held on Saturdays, each team will participate in a week long training camp prior to the league games, and will have two (2) practice sessions each week during the season.

The entry deadline is July 25^th, 2008. Each kid must be 8 years old by September 10^th, 2008 (Birth Certificates are required). Please contact the Billings Sports Plex office at (406) 839-9080 or Chris Dixon at (406) 698-8704 if you have any questions.

WEEK 14 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK ANNOUNCED

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:31:49 GMT

06/12/2008 11:00 PM

Omaha, NE – Dusty Burk, Chris Dixon, Joe Bevis, Travis Garcia and Andre Raymond have been selected as United Indoor Football (UIF) players of the week for their play in week 14 of the UIF season.

Burk, quarterback for the Bloomington Extreme, shares Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts in last week’s game. In Bloomington’s 64-43 win over the Omaha Beef, he completed 24 of 31 passes for 239 yards and five touchdown passes. Burk added 75 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to finish his evening with 314 yards of total offense and eight total touchdowns. He currently leads the Extreme in both of the rushing and passing categories. So far this season, Burk has thrown for 2,388 yards and 45 touchdowns while also rushing for 311 yards and eight touchdowns. This weekend, he and his teammates will hit the road to take on the Sioux Falls Storm Saturday evening at the Sioux Falls Arena.

Dixon, quarterback for the Billings Outlaws, shares Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts in last week’s game. In Billings’ 58-31 win over the Wichita Wild, he completed 22 of 34 passes for 198 yards and six touchdown passes. Dixon added 27 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to finish his evening with 225 yards of total offense and seven total touchdowns. He currently leads the Outlaws in both of the rushing and passing categories. So far this season, Dixon has thrown for 2,718 yards and 60 touchdowns while also rushing for 364 yards and six touchdowns. This weekend, he and his teammates will travel to St. Charles, Missouri to take on the RiverCity Rage Saturday evening at the Family Arena.

Bevis, linebacker for the RiverCity Rage, has been tabbed as co-Defensive Player of the Week. Last weekend, in the Rage’s 41-27 win over the Sioux City Bandits, he tallied 7.5 tackles, a tackle for loss while also forcing a fumble and had a quarterback hurry. Offensively, he ran twice for 10 yards. This weekend, he and his teammates will host the Billings Outlaws Saturday evening at the Family Arena.

Garcia, defensive back for the Colorado Ice, has been tabbed as co-Defensive Player of the Week. Last weekend, in the Ice’s 29-24 win over the Sioux Falls Storm, he tallied six tackles and also had an interception. This weekend, he and his teammates will host the Wichita Wild Friday evening at the Budweiser Events Center.

Raymond, running back for the Bloomington Extreme, is honored with Special Teams Player of the Week. In Bloomington’s 64-43 win over the Omaha Beef, he returned eight kickoffs for 125 yards. In addition to his return prowess, he rushed twice for nine yards and a touchdown while also catching three passes for 28 yards and another score. This weekend, he and his teammates will hit the road to take on the Sioux Falls Storm Saturday evening at the Sioux Falls Arena.

Outlaws roll past Wichita, 58-31- Jun, 08 2008

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 06:27:24 GMT

WICHITA, Kan. - The Billings Outlaws shook off a slow start and cruised to a 58-31 United Indoor Football win over the Wichita Wild on Saturday night.

The win, coupled with Bloomington's 64-43 win over Omaha, puts Billings in position for a first-round home game in the upcoming UIF playoffs.

Billings (9-4) wraps up the regular season this Saturday at River City (St. Joseph, Mo.), while Omaha (9-4) hosts Sioux City on Saturday. A Billings win (or an Omaha loss) this week would mean Billings will host Omaha in a first-round playoff game on June 21. Should Billings lose and Omaha win this week, the Outlaws would travel to Omaha on June 21.

Billings trailed 14-13 before scoring 10 points in the final minute of the first half on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Chris Dixon to Anthony Candler and a 44-yard Aaron Galvan field goal.

Wichita remained close throughout the third quarter before Billings blew the game open with 28 fourth-quarter points.

Dixon completed 22 of 34 passes for 198 yards and six touchdowns. Candler caught seven passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Robert Reed, Charles Anthony, Bernie Lewis and Jason Peters also caught touchdown passes.

Peters also rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown.

Outlaws Send 6 to the UIF All Star Game!

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 07:05:24 GMT

Outlaws Send 6 to the UIF All Star Game!

Six members of the Billings Outlaws professional indoor football team have been selected as All-Stars by a vote of the teams of the United Indoor Football Association.

On offensive, league leading quarterback Chris Dixon, WR Robert Reed, and offensive lineman Artavious Williams were named to the team. On defense, defensive standout lineman Michael Bazemore, Linebacker Travis Salter and defensive back Travonti "Tuffy" Johnson were voted in by a wide margin. On special teams, these six Outlaws will join 44 others and play in the second UIF All-Star game to be held Saturday, July 19^th at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City,

Head Coach Heron O'Neal was pleased by his team’s six All-Star selections.

It's fantastic that our guys have been recognized by the opposing coaches, GM's, sports writers and their peers for this honor", stated head coach Heron O'Neal. "I am disappointed that Eugene Philips, Lindscomb, and Willie Austin were not selected as they are certainly having an All Star season and impressive stats this year but I know there was an effort by the league to recognize players from each team"

The Outlaws will next be in action next this Saturday, June 7^th, when they travel to Wichita to take on the Wild at 7:05 p.m. Watch the game Live at the Sports Page Pub on Broadwater. The Outlaws are hopeful that in other league action that the Bloomington Extreme will defeat the Omaha Beef as this would give Billings a 1st round playoff game at Metra Park if both teams win their remaining game of the regular season.

The Outlaws are in their 7th year of Professional Indoor Football in Billings.

Storm blows past Outlaws, 62-52- May, 25 2008

Wed, 28 May 2008 08:36:20 GMT

By JOHN LETASKY
Of The Gazette Staff
The Sioux Falls Storm showed the Billings Outlaws - and the 4,606 fans in attendance Saturday night at Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark - why they are the three-time defending United Indoor Football league champions.

With a solid fourth quarter of football, the Storm put away the Billings Outlaws 62-52. With the win, Sioux Falls (9-2) put itself in the driver's seat to clinch the UIF West Division title and home field throughout the playoffs. A Billings win would have done the same for the Outlaws (8-3).

It was Billings' first loss at home this season. The Storm won the regular season series with Billings 2-1.

"It was back and fourth until the final five minutes," said Billings defender Travis Salter. "They executed and we didn't. That's why they are the three-time champions."
Although the game could turn out to have a huge impact on the postseason seeding, Billings quarterback Chris Dixon said the Outlaws need to focus on their remaining three games. Billings hosts the Colorado Ice next Saturday before closing the regular season with road games at Wichita and River City.

"I'm not even thinking about that (the playoffs)," said Dixon. "We have to work on the next three games and not worry about the playoffs. ... It was really intense and a great game. Both defenses knuckled down when they were supposed to.

"It was heartbreaking for us as players (but a great game for the fans)."

All week building to the game, it was billed as a sort of heavyweight title fight. And it turned out to be. Billings led the exciting contest 45-41 after three quarters and the vocal Billings crowd was definitely into the game.

However, the Storm controlled the fourth quarter outscoring the Outlaws 21-7. Sioux Falls iced the game when Bryan Alberty returned an onsides kick 12 yards for a touchdown with 33 seconds left.

The Storm struck first in the fourth on a drive continued from the third quarter. The drive concluded on the 10th play when Leon Hall hauled in a two-yard pass from Terrance Bryant as Bryant appeared sacked, but somehow escaped. The extra-point by Cody Butler gave the Storm a 48-45 lead with 12:22 on the clock.

Sioux Falls immediately recovered an onsides kick, but Billings was able to hold the Storm on downs. Rod Kelly, a 6-foot-7 defensive end, batted down a pass on third-and-five to highlight the defensive stand. On fourth down, Bryant hit James Terry with a pass, but Terry dropped the ball when hit by the defender.

With 9:34 remaining the Outlaws took possession, but were unable to capitalize. The Outlaws drove to Sioux Falls' 21-yard line, but a field goal attempt by Aaron Galvan was unsuccessful and Sioux Falls still led 48-45. The drive was hurt by an offensive penalty on third-and-seven that pushed the ball back five yards one play before the field goal attempt.

On their next possession, the Storm was able to score again to complete a 10-play march when Bryant ran in, all the while being pushed by teammates, from one-yard out. After the PAT, the Storm led 55-45 with 1:12 left and the crowd began to file out.

Billings valiantly attempted to rally and scored in five plays as Dixon ran in from one-yard out. After Galvan's PAT, the Outlaws trailed 55-52 with 40 seconds left.

"We are going to watch film Monday and figure out what we have to do next week," said Billings' Eddie Linscomb, noting that in the playoffs Billings will have to be prepared for Sioux Falls.

Bryant finished 23 of 35 passing for 262 yards and five touchdowns for the Storm. His top receiver was Terry, who hauled in nine passes for 98 yards. Sean Treasure ran the ball 16 times for 39 yards.

Dixon finished 16 of 25 with one interception and three touchdowns for 206 yards. Dixon rushed the ball eight times for 70 yards. Linscomb was his top receiver with six catches for 100 yards.

Throughout the game both teams caught some breaks, but it seemed the Storm were able to get more lucky bounces.

Both teams were penalized five times, with the Storm being assessed 28 yards and Billings 20, but a couple of Billings' penalties came at crucial times. In the third quarter, the Outlaws were able to force the Storm into a field goal, which they converted, with 9:33 on the clock. However, a defensive penalty gave the Storm a new set of downs and they capitalized when Bryant ran in from a yard out giving Sioux Falls a 41-33 lead and silencing the crowd. On the same possession, Billings' Jaquwan Brackenridge had a chance at an interception, but the ball bounced off his chest.

The Outlaws committed two turnovers, compared to none for Sioux Falls. The last Outlaws' turnover didn't matter much as it was in the closing seconds and Dixon threw a pass that was intercepted in the end zone by Shannon Poppinga.

Billings was up 20-13 and had the ball at its own 22-yard line in the second quarter when Dixon completed a pass to Robert Reed that was fumbled away and recovered by the Storm at its own 24. Two plays later Terry hauled in a 20-yard pass from Bryant and it was a 20-20 game.

The one notable break the Outlaws got was when Sioux Falls snapped the ball into the end zone on a field goal attempt with 4:11 to go in the third and the Outlaws Anthony Bonner covered the Sioux Falls player who had recovered the ball for a safety, bringing the Outlaws to 41-38.

Although after the game some of the Outlaws players weren't happy with some of the official's calls, Salter said "I can't put it on the officials."

"Just a few breaks in the second half went their way," said Salter. "We beat ourselves for the most part."

Storm 62, Outlaws 52
Sioux Falls 6 28 7 21 - 62

Billings 13 20 12 7 - 52

Outlaws chew up, spit out Beef- May, 18 2008

Tue, 20 May 2008 07:31:08 GMT

By The Gazette Staff

OMAHA, Neb. - The Billings Outlaws put an entire season of road struggles behind them with one dominating performance.

Billings overwhelmed the Omaha Beef with 47 first-half points Saturday night en route to a 61-40 win, in the process taking a huge step toward earning home-field advantage in the United Indoor Football league playoffs.

With four weeks remaining in the regular season, the Outlaws can all but lock up home field for the playoffs with a win this Saturday night against Sioux Falls at Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark.

Billings (7-3) and Sioux Falls (8-2) are tied atop the UIF West Division standings, each with two division losses. The Outlaws and Storm split their first two meetings this season, each winning at home.

Billings entered Saturday's game having won just one of four road games this season, and the first two plays of the game indicated that the Outlaws' road woes would continue.

After Billings received the opening kickoff, quarterback Chris Dixon threw an interception on the Outlaws' first offensive play. On the very next play, Omaha quarterback James McNear connected with Ken Horton on a 24-yard touchdown pass, giving the Beef a 7-0 lead just 32 seconds into the game.

After the teams traded touchdowns over the next seven minutes, Billings took control of the game and never let the Beef back in it.

Dixon accounted for six touchdowns in the first half, throwing for five and rushing for one while completing 15 of 20 passes for 193 yards.

Dixon connected with Willie Austin on touchdown strikes of 38, 15 and 21 yards in the first half. He also hit Anthony Candler for an 11-yard TD and Robert Reed for a 4-yard score.

Touchdown runs of 5 yards by Dixon and 6 yards by Eddie Linscomb also contributed to the Outlaws' 47-20 halftime lead that stunned the crowd of 6,132 at the Omaha Civic Auditorium.

The back-breaker for Omaha was a 21-yard TD pass from Dixon to Austin with 14 seconds left in the half.

After a missed Omaha field goal, Billings took over on its own 5-yard line with just 36 seconds left in the half. Dixon hit Reed for gains of 16 and 8 yards, then lofted a ball to the end zone that Austin hauled in as he was diving over the boards.

Dixon added touchdown passes to Jason Peters and Candler in the second half, finishing the game 20 of 28 for 247 yards and seven TDs.

The Outlaws weathered a brief Omaha rally in the fourth quarter, but Dixon's final TD pass drove the nail in the Beef's coffin.

With two touchdowns sandwiched around a Billings turnover on downs, Omaha closed to within two scores at 54-40 with 7:45 remaining.

But the Outlaws answered in spectacular fashion. On a fourth-and-4 play from the Omaha 24, Dixon spun to his right away from the Beef pass rush, then stopped and threw a bullet to Candler in the end zone. That score pushed the Billings lead to 61-40 with 4:36 remaining and all but ended Omaha's comeback hopes.

Omaha (8-3) had been the UIF's hottest team, winning its previous seven games and all five of its home games this season.

Austin caught five passes for 96 yards, Reed eight for 81 yards and Candler five for 50 yards.

Dixon also led Billings in rushing with 50 yards on 10 carries.

Travis Salter led the Billings defense with 101/2 tackles. Cornerback Ryan Keomaka, a rookie from the University of Hawaii who was making his Outlaws debut, added 81/2 tackles.

Omaha's McNear completed 16 of 26 passes for 162 yards. R.J. Rollins rushed for 50 yards and three touchdowns for the Beef, and McNear added 32 yards on the ground.

Billings 61, Omaha 40

Billings 21 26 7 7 - 61

Omaha 13 7 13 7 - 40

First quarter

Oma - Ken Horton 24 pass from James McNear (Ricky Lebeda kick)

Bil - Anthony Candler 11 pass from Chris Dixon (Aaron Galvan kick)

Oma - R.J. Rollins 37 run (kick failed)

Bil - Willie Austin 38 pass from Dixon (Galvan kick)

Bil - Dixon 5 run (Galvan kick)

Second quarter

Bil - Robert Reed 4 pass from Dixon (Galvan kick)

Bil - Eddie Linscomb 6 run (Galvan kick)

Oma - Rollins 5 run (Lebeda kick)

Bil - Austin 15 pass from Dixon (kick failed)

Bil - Austin 21 pass from Dixon (kick failed)

Third quarter

Oma - Kyle Whitehurst 3 interception return (kick failed)

Bil - Jason Peters 3 pass from Dixon (Galvan kick)

Oma - Blake Fuchtman 6 pass from McNear (Lebeda kick)

Fourth quarter

Oma - Rollins 1 run (Lebeda kick)

Bil - Candler 24 pass from Dixon (Galvan kick)

Rushing - Billings: Chris Dixon 10-50, Jason Peters 2-22, Eddie Linscomb 6-16. Omaha: R.J. Rollins 6-50, Jamar Day 7-32, James McNear 11-32.

Passing - Billings: Chris Dixon 20-28-2, 247 yards. Omaha: James McNear 16-26-0, 162 yards.

Receiving - Billings: Willie Austin 5-96, Robert Reed 8-81, Anthony Candler 5-50, Eddie Linscomb 1-17, Jason Peters 1-3. Omaha: Ken Horton 6-60, Blake Fuchtman 5-40, Javon Bell 3-39, R.J. Rollins 2-23.

Leading tacklers - Billings: Travis Salter 101/2, Ryan Keomaka 81/2, Travonti Johnson 6. Omaha: Diezeas Calbert 8, Kyle Whitehurst 6.

Attendance - 6,132.

Read more about the Billings Outlaws at www.billingsgazette.net/sports

Outlaws blowout Bloomington, 60-26- May, 11 2008

Sun, 11 May 2008 12:46:45 GMT

By MIKE ZIMMER
Gazette Sports Editor
Though the scoreboard read 33-8 in their favor, there was no party atmosphere in the Billings Outlaws' locker room at halftime.

In fact, the party was just getting started.

Billings dominated the Bloomington Extreme from start to finish Saturday night, handing the highly touted visitors a 60-26 beating in front of 4,422 fans at Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark.

"We played four quarters of good football ... for the first time all season," said Outlaws defensive end Eugene Phillips. "Our theme this whole week was to finish.
"We've had teams on their heels before, just like we did tonight. But tonight, no one came in the locker room (at halftime) and started celebrating. We kept our focus and never gave them a chance to get back in it. Tonight, we finished."

The Outlaws' defense intercepted Bloomington quarterback Dusty Burk twice in the game's first three minutes. The Billings offense converted both into touchdowns, and the Extreme never recovered.

Billings rolled to a 33-8 halftime lead on the strength of two Eddie Linscomb touchdown runs and three Chris Dixon touchdown passes - one each to Willie Austin, Robert Reed and Anthony Candler.

Dixon, who finished 16-of-26 for 146 yards, five TDs and no interceptions, credited the defense with starting the avalanche.

"The defense set the tone," he said. "Our defense came to play tonight, no doubt. They gave us momentum early and we just kept it going from there. We dominated this one on both sides of the ball."

Bloomington entered the game ranked No. 2 in the United Indoor Football league - behind Billings - in both scoring offense and passing offense. But Burk was hounded by the Billings pass rush all night and completed a season-low 16 passes (on 37 attempts) and threw a season-high three interceptions.

Bloomington's James Walton, the UIF's leading receiver, had just four catches for 46 yards.

The Extreme was able to put together back-to-back scoring drives late in the third quarter, but Billings answered with three straight scores to push its lead to 60-26.

Like Phillips, Dixon was also impressed with the Outlaws' second-half intensity.

"We came out and scored on our first drive of the second half for the first time all season. That was big," he said. "We've played well in the first half in a lot of games this season.

"Tonight was the first time we've executed well for four quarters. We're past the halfway point of the season, so this is the right time to start playing our best football."

Outlaws coach Heron O'Neal said the pass rush of Phillips and fellow defensive end Mike Bazemore, nose guard Ross Brennan and linebacker John Winchester was a key to the victory.

"Bloomington came in here with the hottest offense in the league. They had scored the most points in the last three weeks than anyone," said O'Neal. "But those three guys up front and Winchester played huge ... they played with a controlled fury that Bloomington couldn't match.

"The biggest part of our pass rush tonight was we did it without blitzing, and that enabled our secondary guys to lock down on Bloomington's receivers."

Candler led Billings receivers with five catches for 51 yards and two touchdowns. Linscomb finished with 31 yards on eight carries and two TDs, and Ryan Grosulak also had a touchdown run.

Cornerback Kadafi Tunsil led the Outlaws defense with eight tackles and an interception. Bazemore and Phillips each recorded a sack.

Billings' final score came on Travonti Johnson's league-leading eighth interception of the season. Johnson took it back 28 yards for the score, his third interception return for a TD this season.

The Outlaws (6-3) now turn to their next opponent, the UIF West Division-leading Omaha Beef. Omaha (9-2), which has won eight straight since starting the season 1-2, will host the Outlaws next Saturday in Omaha, Neb.

"I'm already thinking about Omaha," said O'Neal. "They're the hottest team in the league and they're on top in our division.

"This week of preparation will be our biggest of the season. We have to take the momentum from this win and turn it into a great week of preparation for Omaha."

The Outlaws return home in two weeks, hosting the Sioux Falls Storm on Saturday, May 24.

Billings 60, Bloomington 26
Bloomington 6 2 12 6 - 26

Billings 20 13 7 20 - 60

First quarter

Bil - Willie Austin 15 pass from Chris Dixon (Aaron Galvan kick)

Bil - Eddie Linscomb 5 run (kick blocked)

Blo - Keith Brooks 5 run (run failed)

Bil - Linscomb 1 run (Galvan kick)

Second quarter

Bil - Robert Reed 1 pass from Dixon (pass intercepted, returned for 2 points by Mike Crumpler)

Bil - Anthony Candler 6 pass from Dixon (Galvan kick)

Third quarter

Bil - Candler 6 pass from Dixon (Galvan kick)

Blo - James Walton 5 pass from Dusty Burk pass failed)

Blo - Burk 3 run (run failed)

Fourth quarter

Bil - Charles Anthony 18 pass from Dixon (kick failed)

Bil - Ryan Grosulak 4 run (Galvan kick)

Bil - Travonti Johnson 28 interception return (Galvan kick)

Blo - Derin Graham 3 pass from Burk (pass failed)

Rushing - Bloomington: Keith Brooks 9-29, Dusty Burk 4-21. Billings: Eddie Linscomb 8-31, Chris Dixon 6-27, Ryan Grosulak 5-16, Anthony Bonner 1-3, Anthony Candler 1-(minus-2).

Passing - Bloomington: Dusty Burk 16-37-3, 170 yards; Glenn Johnson 1-1-0, 25 yards. Billings: Chris Dixon 16-26-0, 146 yards.

Receiving - Bloomington: Derin Graham 8-107, James Walton 4-46, Keith Brooks 3-13. Billings: Anthony Candler 5-51, Willie Austin 3-30, Eddie Linscomb 3-28, Robert Reed 3-17, Charles Anthony 2-20.

Leading tacklers - Bloomington: Mike Crumpler 9, James Temple 6. Billings: Kadafi Tunsil 8, John Winchester 6½, Travis Salter 5½.

Interceptions - Bloomington: None. Billings: Travonti Johnson, Travis Salter, Kadafi Tunsil.

Missed field goals - Bloomington: Blue Aldridge, 1. Billings: Aaron Galvan, 2.

Attendance - 4,422.

For more stories about the Billings Outlaws please visit www.billingsgazette.net/sports

Outlaws stumble to 39-37 loss at Colorado

Sat, 03 May 2008 09:51:35 GMT

Billings scores just 7 points in 2nd half; suffers 3rd road loss of season

By The Gazette Staff

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - After a red-hot first half, the Billings Outlaws went Ice cold.

The Colorado Ice took advantage of penalties and miscues by Billings throughout the second half for a 39-37 United Indoor Football win over the Outlaws Friday night.

Billings (5-3) is now just 1-3 on the road this season. With the win, Colorado (3-5) avenged a 28-26 home loss to the Outlaws three weeks ago.

Colorado owner John Cunningham guaranteed a win by his team earlier this week, offering to feed Ice fans with a free tailgate party should they lose.

The Outlaws gave Cunningham reason to be nervous in the first half, scoring on five of seven possessions and building a 30-20 halftime lead - a lead that could have been larger if not for Aaron Galvan's miss of an extra point midway through the second quarter and a short field goal on the final play of the half.

Billings quarterback Chris Dixon threw four touchdown passes in the first half - two to Anthony Candler and one each to Robert Reed and Willie Austin.

The second half was a complete reversal, as the Ice made good on their owner's guarantee by completely dominating the half.

Colorado scored touchdowns on two time-consuming drives in the third quarter to grab a 33-30 lead.

Billings answered - taking a 37-33 advantage on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Dixon to Eddie Linscomb with 9:08 left - but immediately gave the lead back as George Hill returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.

The Outlaws blocked the extra-point kick, leaving Colorado with a 39-37 lead with 8:30 remaining. That would end the scoring, but not the drama.

Billings marched down the field on its ensuing possession, reaching the Colorado 4-yard line. On third-and-goal from the 4, Dixon's pass to Austin in the end zone was broken up by Ice defender Donnie Craft Jr. just before it reached Austin.

Galvan then came on for a potential go-ahead field goal, but the kick bounced off both uprights before falling to the turf.

The Billings defense then missed a golden opportunity to give the offense a final chance.

The Outlaws forced Colorado into a third-and-11 from its own 11 with 1:03 remaining, but back-to-back offside penalties on defensive ends Mike Bazemore and Eugene Phillips made it third-and-1, and running back Cody Wood converted it to ice the game.

Billings was whistled for 11 penalties in the game compared to three on Colorado. Eight of the Outlaws' penalties came in the second half.

Billings returns home to face the Bloomington (Ill.) Extreme next Saturday. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark.

NOTES: Billings was without defensive standout Travis Salter, who suffered a leg injury in practice this week. The absence of Salter and an injury to cornerback Kadafi Tunsil in the fourth quarter forced Reed to play defensive back. ... Outlaws cornerback Travonti Johnson, who is headed to San Jose, Calif., today for an Arena Football League tryout, made his league-leading seventh interception of the season in the first half. ... Friday's win was Colorado's second over Billings. The Ice edged the Outlaws 26-25 in last year's season opener, which was the inaugural UIF game for both franchises.

Published on Saturday, May 03, 2008.
Last modified on 5/3/2008 at 1:03 am

A Day for Aaliyah - Apr, 23 2008

Fri, 02 May 2008 06:49:14 GMT

Chris Dixon, UIF All-Star QB for the Billings Outlaws, will be dedicating this Saturday night game against the Wichita Wild, to a young lady from Billings Montana. Aaliyah Morgan was born with Vein of Galen malformation (the veins get tangled in the center of the brain). When she was 11 months old, she had a 10 hour surgery where the doctors placed 87 coils in her brain. She had a 20% chance of survival. Three weeks later, she had a brain bleed and went into a coma and was put on a breathing tube. She was flown to UCSF where she stayed for 3 weeks. She started life all over again, but regressed to the same stage of an infant. Then at the age of 2, she started having seizures. She was diagnosed with epilepsy. After 3 years of medication and praying, she still suffers from daily seizures. The only hope this brave little girl has, according to the doctors, is another brain surgery to remove the part of her brain that is causing the seizures.

With dedicating the game to Aaliyah, Chris Dixon is asking the community of Billings to step up and sponsor this little girl thru the touch downs he throws during the game. “This little girl is a huge inspiration to me,” Dixon states, “she always has a smile on her face and she looks at life as a gift every day.”

If you are interested in sponsoring Aaliyah to help with her medical bills, please contact the Billings Outlaws (406) 839-9080 or Chris Dixon (406) 698-8704 for more information.

A donation account to benefit the Morgan Family has been established. Please send donations to:

Sterling Savings Bank
co: Monica Hansen
455 S 24th St W
Billings, MT 59102

"1st Annual Family Fun Night with the Outlaws"

Fri, 02 May 2008 06:18:31 GMT

WANTED: Kids of all ages to play games with Billings Outlaws Football Players at the "1st Annual Family Fun Night with the Outlaws"

Billings, Mont.,--The entire Billings Outlaws Indoor Football Arena team will be on hand, ready to play games with kids of all ages on Friday, May 9, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Outlaws Sportsplex. The event will be nearly lawless, with sports-oriented games including: football pass, 40-yard dash, field goal and soccer kick, obstacle course, baseball throw, basketball games, trike races, inflatable bouncers and other games for younger children.

For a $10 participation fee, kids (and parents, too) are free to move from activity to activity; Outlaw players will compete with the kids at each game and can be lassoed for autographs. The first 1,000 paid attendees will receive a free Outlaws T-shirt.

In addition, attendees can bid on the opportunity to be introduced with their favorite Outlaw player at the game on Saturday, May 10.

Food and refreshments will be available from Rocky Mountain Concessions.

Proceeds benefit Blue Creek School Foundation’s effort to build a new school. Event sponsors include the Billings Outlaws, Engineering, Inc. Graphic Imprints and Big Sky Inflatables.

The Outlaws Sportsplex is located at 5000 Southgate Drive. Parking is available across the street at the Bureau of Land Management.

Outlaws defense stops Wichita 55-13- Apr, 27 2008

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:19:31 GMT

By MIKE ZIMMER
Gazette Sports Editor
A long, painful night for the Wichita Wild on Saturday could be summed up in one play.

As if the 33-6 beatdown the Billings Outlaws put on them in the first half wasn't enough, the Wild's first offensive play of the third quarter told the story of Billings' 55-13 United Indoor Football win.

On first-and-10 from the Wichita 22-yard line, Wild quarterback Efi Eyo unloaded a long pass just seconds before Outlaws linebacker John Winchester leveled him with a vicious hit.

Some 40 yards downfield, Outlaws safety Travis Salter delivered an equally vicious hit on intended receiver Carlos Cavanaugh as the ball sailed over their heads and over the end zone boards.
One play. Two huge hits. So it went for the new-look Billings defense in front of 4,371 fans at Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark.

Salter - a five-year star at linebacker for the Outlaws after an All-American career at Rocky Mountain College - made the switch to safety to make room for Winchester, a two-time UIF all-star linebacker who was making his Billings debut.

"I'd say it went pretty well," grinned Salter, who was credited with four tackles but made dozens of bone-jarring hits in the game. "I got more and more comfortable (with playing safety) as the game went on. It's the first time I've played it since my junior year at Rocky (in 2001). "It's a lot of fun to get a 10- or 15-yard run at a guy before you hit him.

"It's a lot easier on my body, too. You're out in open space and you don't have to deal with O-linemen blocking you on every play. John's a younger, faster guy and he can take the pounding at linebacker better than me. I think it's going to work great."

Winchester, an all-star with the UIF's Evansville BlueCats in 2006 and '07, joined the Outlaws this week after starting the season with the Florida Firecats of the arenafootball2 league. He made a huge impact in his Billings debut, finishing with a game-high 71/2 tackles - including one for a safety - and also blocked a field goal.

"It felt great out there," said Winchester. "This is a fast, aggressive defense and they like to hit you all night long. I think I fit in pretty well, and Salter had a great game at safety. He's a phenomenal player."

Outlaws coach Heron O'Neal agreed that his defense stole the show.

"Salter played well back there ... I thought he would because he had a great week of practice learning all his assignments and responsibilities," said O'Neal. "And Winchester played like we thought he would. That's why we tried to get him in here at the beginning of the season ... but better late than never.

"The whole defense brought it tonight. (Defensive ends) Eugene Phillips and Mike Bazemore played great. (Cornerback) Travonti Johnson was all over the place with an interception and a field goal return (for a touchdown). Their quarterback (Eyo) took so many hits ... he was on the run and on his back all night. He showed me a lot just by the fact that he was still standing at the end."

Eyo completed just 6 of 27 passes for 84 yards, and was knocked to the ground on nearly all of those 27 attempts.

The Billings offense was equally dominant against the struggling Wild, now 1-6 on the season. Quarterback Chris Dixon completed 15 of 20 passes for 193 yards and five touchdowns - four to Robert Reed, who caught eight balls for 97 yards.

Dixon's other TD pass was a 43-yard bomb to Willie Austin. Ryan Grosulak rushed for 32 yards and a touchdown, and Jason Peters ran for 39 yards.

The Outlaws, now 5-2 on the season, dominated Wichita 260-105 in total yards.

"We had a few mistakes here and there, but overall we played solid," said O'Neal. "We took care of business after last week's loss (at Sioux Falls)."

The Outlaws travel to Fort Collins, Colo., to face the Colorado Ice on Friday. Billings escaped with a win at Colorado four weeks ago on a field goal by Aaron Galvan as time expired.

Wichita 0 6 0 7 - 13

Billings 20 13 15 7 - 55

First quarter

B - Robert Reed 22 pass from Chris Dixon (Aaron Galvan kick)

B - Willie Austin 43 pass from Dixon (Galvan kick)

B - Ryan Grosulak 5 run (kick failed)

Second quarter

W - Carlos Cavanaugh 35 pass from Efi Eyo (Ziya Gunay kick)

B - Reed 12 pass from Dixon (Galvan kick)

B - Travonti Johnson 49 field goal return (kick failed)

Third quarter

B - Reed 7 pass from Dixon (Galvan kick)

B - Safety, Mike Bazemore tackled running back in end zone

B - Reed 26 pass from Dixon (kick failed)

Fourth quarter

W - Cliff Edwards 1 run (Gunay kick)

B - Mark Burr 1 run (Galvan kick)

Rushing - Wichita: Efi Eyo 3-21, Cliff Edwards 11-8. Billings: Jason Peters 8-39, Ryan Grosulak 8-31, Mark Burr 2-4, Chris Dixon 3-(-1).

Passing - Wichita: Efi Eyo 6-27-1, 84 yards. Billings: Chris Dixon 15-20-0, 193 yards.

Receiving - Wichita: Carlos Cavanaugh 3-42, Jameel Harris 1-31, Donald Payne 1-7, Cliff Edwards 1-4. Billings: Robert Reed 8-97, Mark Burr 3-27, Willie Austin 2-55, Charles Anthony 1-7, Jason Peters 1-7.

Leading tacklers - Wichita: J.R. Webber 51/2, Eric Washington 5. Billings: John Winchester 71/2, Travis Salter 4.

Attendance - 4,371.

Read more about the Outlaws at www.billingsgazette.net/sports/

Second-half surge carries Storm past Outlaws- Apr,...

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:35:34 GMT

By The Gazette Staff

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Quarterback Terrance Bryant scored on a 1-yard sneak with 1:22 to play Saturday night and the Sioux Falls Storm held on to beat the Billings Outlaws 54-43 in a back-and-forth United Indoor Football league tussle at the Sioux Falls Arena.

Following Bryant's touchdown, the Storm made a goal-line stand against the Outlaws, who had a first-and-goal at the 1 with 45 seconds to play but were kept out of the end zone.

Sioux Falls, which won its 25th consecutive home game dating back to July 2005, and Billings are now both 4-2 on the season. Billings, which was trying to win its first game in Sioux Falls since 2004, defeated the Storm 38-31 on April 5 in Billings and the final regular-season meeting between the two will take place May 24 in Billings.

The Storm, which outscored Billings 42-27 in the second half, built a 47-36 lead with 6:20 left in the game when Shannon Poppinga intercepted a Chris Dixon pass and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown.

Billings bounced right back with a 19-yard scoring strike from Dixon to Anthony Candler to close within 47-43 with 4:28 remaining.

But Sioux Falls turned around on its next possession and drove the ball 32 yards on six plays to gain some much-needed breathing room on Bryant's TD on a fourth-and-goal play. The big play on the drive was a 25-yard pass from Bryant to Leon Hall down to the Outlaw 9.

Sean Treasure rushed for 49 yards and four TDs for the three-time defending UIF champions, while Bryant threw for two scores and ran for another. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 201 yards.

Dixon passed for 218 yards and three touchdowns for the Outlaws. Running back Jason Peters had two TD receptions and also scored on a short run.

Peters rushed for 43 yards and also caught four passes for 70 yards.

Billings finished with 295 yards on offense, while Sioux Falls wound up with 273.

Travonti Johnson of the Outlaws intercepted a pass and ran it back 34 yards for a TD to put Billings in command 29-19 with eight minutes to play in the third quarter.

But Aaron Galvan's point-after kick was blocked and returned by Andre Fields for a two-point defensive PAT and that seemed to fuel the Storm comeback.

Billings led 16-12 at halftime, with Ryan Grosulak scoring the go-ahead touchdown on a 1-yard run with two seconds left before intermission.

The Storm missed on a 39-yard field goal on the final play of the half.

Dixon passed for 121 yards and one touchdown in the first half, but the Outlaws' defense also made a clutch goal-line stand early in the second quarter. Billings stopped the Storm on three straight plays from the 1-yard line.

The Outlaws' kicking troubles continued in the first half with Galvan missing on two field-goal attempts (23, 52 yards) and one point-after kick. He did connect on a 22-yard field goal.

Sioux Falls kicker Adam Hicks missed fields goals from 19, 51, 39 yards in the first half and two PAT attempts.

The Outlaws will be back on their home turf Saturday night for a game against the Wichita Wild. Wichita, 1-5, won its first game of the season on Saturday night, 22-15 over River City.

Kick off for the Billings-Wichita game is set for 7:05 p.m.

Outlaws edge Ice on buzzer-beating field goal

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:04:50 GMT

- Apr, 11 2008

By The Gazette Staff
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Life on the road is never boring for the Billings Outlaws.

Aaron Galvan's 32-yard field goal as time expired Thursday night lifted Billings to a 28-26 win over the Colorado Ice in a wild United Indoor Football league game that saw three lead changes in the final 90 seconds.

In their first road game this season, the Outlaws lost 31-30 at Sioux City two weeks ago as a potential game-winning field goal missed wide as time expired.

"We stuck together and got the job done," said Billings coach Heron O'Neal. "We didn't play great, but we played good enough to win. Just like we did at Sioux City ... except this time we made the kick at the end."

With Thursday's win, Billings improves to 4-1 on the season. Colorado is 1-4.

The defensive battle was tied 13-13 at halftime, and Billings took its first lead of the second half at 25-20 with 1:30 remaining on a touchdown run by quarterback Chris Dixon on third-and-goal from the Ice 4-yard line. On the play, Dixon was met at the 1-yard line by Colorado defensive back Roderick Jackson but fought his way through Jackson's grasp for the score.

Dixon's pass to Robert Reed on the two-point conversion attempt was stopped short of the goal line.

Three plays later, Outlaws linebacker Travis Salter intercepted Ice quarterback Garrett Mehl, giving Billing the ball at midfield with 1:08 remaining. However, the Outlaws were unable to generate a first down and Colorado - which used all three of its timeouts on the defensive stand - got the ball back with 46 seconds left.

Two plays later, the Ice grabbed a 26-25 lead on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Mehl to Justin Gallas. Billings stopped Colorado's two-point conversion run, leaving the deficit at one point with 18.5 second remaining.

After Kadafi Tunsil returned the ensuing kickoff to the Billings 15, Dixon took off on a 20-yard run to the Colorado 15-yard line. After an incomplete pass and a timeout with three seconds remaining, Galvan came on to kick the game-winner.

Galvan had missed two extra-point kicks and two field goals in the game, but split the uprights with the game-winner.

"He was clutch when it counted," said O'Neal. "I didn't hesitate to send him out there ... I still had confidence in him. The blocking and the holds were a little shaky on some of those misses, so they weren't all on Aaron.

"Everything was perfect on the last one. The snap, the hold and the kick were perfect."

Colorado grabbed an early 10-0 lead before Billings scored 13 unanswered points on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Dixon to Willie Austin and a 3-yard TD run by Ryan Grosulak.

Colorado tied it at 13 on a 50-yard field goal by Derek Yaussi as the first half ended, and the Ice scored first in the second half to grab a 20-13 lead.

Billings countered with a 17-yard TD pass from Dixon to Austin, but Galvan's extra point was blocked.

O'Neal credited the defense with keeping his team in the game.

"The defense balled all night and kept us in it," he said. "Our defensive ends, (Mike) Bazemore and (Eugene) Phillips dominated all night.

"We were playing shorthanded on offense, but Chris and the guys that were in there made enough plays to get a win. That's all that matters when you're on the road - find a way to get the win."

Wide receivers Anthony Candler and Charles Anthony and running back Eddie Linscomb did not suit up for Billings because of injuries. All three are expected to be back in action next Saturday (April 19) when the Outlaws travel to Sioux Falls, S.D.

Billings' next home game is April 26 vs. Wichita.

Quarterback and Skills Football Camp

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:41:44 GMT

Chris Dixon and the Billings Outlaws are proud to announce the first Outlaws Skills Camp held at the Sports Plex, 5000 Southgate Dr., Billings, Montana. The Outlaws Skills Camp will give our young athletes the opportunity to learn from professional athletes and coaches to develop the techniques and skills that will give them a competitive advantage over their competition.

This football skills camp, developed by the Outlaws’ own Chris Dixon, is designed to teach and develop the young athlete’s potential by offering one on one instruction, confidence development and skills repetition. “Our goal is to teach fundamentals and pro-techniques for each specific football skill position,” says Chris Dixon. By the end of the camp, each young athlete will have a better understanding of their position and have the tools to gain a competitive advantage.

The Skills Camp will be held at the Sports Plex, located at 5000 Southgate Drive in Billings, Montana. Quarterbacks will be offered a two (2) day camp, April 21^st starting at 6pm and April 25^th starting @ 6pm for $60. Wide Receivers, Defensive Backs, Linebackers, and Running Backs will have a one (1) day camp on April 25^th starting at 5:30pm for $45. The Camp is open to all athletes ages 7 to 17. The entry deadline is April 19^th for Quarterbacks and April 23^rdfor all other positions. Late registration fees will apply.

For more information, please contact Chris Dixon (406) 698-8704 or the Sports Plex (406) 839-9080.

Outlaws rally for dramatic win, over Three time de...

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:32:43 GMT

Outlaws rally for dramatic win- Apr, 06 2008

By MIKE ZIMMER
Gazette Sports Editor

Robert Reed thinks he's open on every play.

But even when he's wrong, he can still make things right for the Billings Outlaws.

Reed's catch of a 13-yard laser from Chris Dixon with 2:30 remaining Saturday night led the Outlaws to a dramatic 38-31 win over the three-time defending United Indoor Football league champion Sioux Falls Storm in front of 5,558 frenzied fans at Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark.

"When it's on the line, I want the ball," said Reed. "I want it more than anybody on the field. I told Chris to give it to me and I'd take care of the rest."

Sioux Falls stormed back from a 14-point halftime deficit to take a 31-30 lead with 5:57 remaining, thanks in part to a missed extra-point kick on Billings' previous touchdown.

But the Outlaws - losers to Sioux Falls four times last season - were not done.

Their ensuing drive began with a 21-yard completion from Dixon to Reed, and four plays later the two connected on the 13-yard game-winner. Despite a Sioux Falls defender being right on Reed's hip, Dixon delivered a bullet through a crowd at the line of scrimmage that zipped into Reed's hands and stuck.

"Perfect throw," said Reed, who caught nine balls for 102 yards and two touchdowns on the night. "The DB was with me and he tipped it a little, but there's no way I was not catching that ball."

"Robert is our playmaker. When the game is on the line and you have to put a touchdown on the board, you go to your playmaker," said Outlaws coach Heron O'Neal. "That play defined what a special athlete Robert is. He shielded the DB with his body and extended his arms to make the catch.

"Very few receivers at any level can make that play. Robert makes it every time."

Billings controlled the first half and led 24-10 at halftime, only to be outscored by Sioux Falls 14-0 in the third quarter. From there, the battle was on.

The Outlaws regained the lead on a 1-yard Eddie Linscomb touchdown run with 8:42 left, but Aaron Galvan's extra-point kick missed wide right.

Sioux Falls then marched right down the field and took its first lead of the night - 31-30 - on quarterback Terrance Bryant's 7-yard touchdown run and Adam Hicks' extra-point kick with 5:57 left.

That set the stage for the Dixon-to-Reed show, but that would not be the final act of the night.

The Outlaws went for a two-point conversion following the go-ahead touchdown, but Dixon's pass to Willie Austin fell incomplete, leaving Billings with a 36-31 lead.

Then Galvan got a chance to redeem himself, and he did so in a big way. His kickoff sailed to the left corner of the end zone - away from Storm return man Bryan Alberty - forcing Alberty to chase it down as the kickoff team bore down on him. After bobbling the ball, Alberty was just able to get across the goal line before being smothered at the one-yard line.

On the very next play, a Storm offensive lineman was called for holding in the end zone, resulting in a safety and a 38-31 Billings lead with 1:57 left. Sioux Falls never got the ball back as the Outlaws' offense ran the clock out.

"I saw (Alberty) on the right side, so I hooked it to the left," said Galvan. "That couldn't have worked out any better. After I missed that PAT, I was praying that these guys would give me another chance, and they did."

For Sioux Falls, the loss is their second straight following a 40-game, four-year win streak that was halted last week at Omaha.

"Billings beat us. They made the plays in the fourth quarter and we didn't," said Storm coach Kurtiss Riggs. "We came out and fought our way back into the game in the third quarter, but we couldn't keep that momentum.

"These are two great teams. It's going to be a battle between the two of us all year long, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Hopefully we can make the plays and come out on top the next time."

Billings, now 3-1 on the season, travels to Fort Collins, Colo., to face the Colorado Ice next Friday, then travels to South Dakota to meet the Storm on April 19. Sioux Falls returns to Billings on May 24.

Sioux Falls 3 7 14 7 - 31

Billings 10 14 0 14 - 38

First quarter

Bil - Eddie Linscomb 9 run (Aaron Galvan kick)

SF - Adam Hicks 24 field goal

Bil - Galvan 34 field goal

Second quarter

Bil - Charles Anthony 2 run (Galvan kick)

SF - Sean Treasure 1 run (Hicks kick)

Bil - Robert Reed 1 pass from Chris Dixon (Galvan kick)

Third quarter

SF - Treasure 1 run (Hicks kick)

SF - Terry 29 pass from Terrance Bryant (Hicks kick)

Fourth quarter

Bil - Linscomb 9 run (kick failed)

SF - Bryant 7 run (Hicks kick)

Bil - Reed 13 p ass from Dixon (pass failed)

Bil - Safety (Sioux Falls called for holding in end zone)

Rushing -

Sioux Falls: Sean Treasure 13-64, Terrance Bryant 3-6. Billings: Eddie Linscomb 10-66, Chris Dixon 9-9, Jason Peters 4-7, Charles Anthony 1-2.

Passing -

Sioux Falls: Terrance Bryant 13-21-0, 158 yards. Billings: Chris Dixon 19-31-1, 162 yards.

Receiving -

Sioux Falls: Bryan Alberty 5-50, James Terry 4-56, Leon Hall 2-38, Dusty Hovorka 1-14, Sean Treasure 1-0. Billings: Robert Reed 9-102, Willie Austin 6-37, Eddie Linscomb 3-23, Anthony Candler 1-0.

OUTLAWS SHOCKED 30-31

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 07:15:52 GMT

box score

The Billings OUTLAWS were shocked by the same team they pounded the week before.

Outlaws bash Bandits 72-38- Mar, 23 2008

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 11:17:23 GMT

By MIKE ZIMMER
Gazette Sports Editor

Travonti Johnson was feeling greedy Saturday night.

The Billings Outlaws safety tied a United Indoor Football single-game record with three interceptions, returning one of them 39 yards for a touchdown in the Outlaws' 72-38 romp over the Sioux City Bandits in front of 3,976 fans at Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark.

But Johnson was more concerned with the two interceptions he didn't get.

"I should have had five," smiled the 6-foot-21/2, 200-pound rookie who has been tagged with the nickname "Tuff" by Outlaws coach Heron O'Neal. "I dropped two, and one of them I would have taken back for a score.

"It's only my second game of indoor ball, so I'm definitely glad I got three. But I'm still mad about those other two."

Johnson's return for a touchdown - which saw him dart in and out of traffic up the middle of the field - came with 15 seconds left in a first half completely dominated by Billings.

The Outlaws held Sioux City to just two field goals and a kickoff return for a touchdown in the first half. Meanwhile, Billings quarterback Chris Dixon was near-perfect, throwing for 154 yards and four touchdowns in the first half.

Johnson's touchdown gave Billings a 47-9 lead.

"I said from the day we signed Tuff that he could be the best safety in the UIF," said O'Neal. "And tonight he played like it. He was making plays all over the field ... you can see why he was on the (New York) Giants' practice roster for most of last season. He's a superior player.

"And that (interception) return ... that was ridiculous the way he split the field like that and just ran away from everybody."

Led by linebacker Travis Salter, the Outlaws defense set the tone early.

After Jeff Hastings missed a field goal on the game's opening possession, Salter sacked quarterback Chad Kapanui for a safety on Sioux City's first offensive play of the game.

On the Bandits' second possession, Salter dumped receiver Tommy Hofer for a five-yard loss on a reverse on fourth-and-three from the Billings 19.

Two plays later, Dixon hit Robert Reed with a 10-yard touchdown pass to make it 16-0, and the rout was on.

By the time Sioux City scored its first offensive touchdown - with 2:41 left in the third quarter - the score was 47-18 and the lead grew to 60-18 before the Bandits tallied three late touchdowns.

"I was playing on an emotional high tonight," said Salter, who had 15 tackles in the game despite leaving with a slight concussion with 71/2 minutes left. "A good friend of mine passed away this week, and that was definitely on my mind. I wasn't going to let anything slow me down tonight. I had a lot of adrenalin pumping in that first quarter."

Jacquwan Brackenridge added 11 tackles and Roderick Hill nine for the Billings defense.

Dixon finished the game 19 of 26 for 264 yards and six touchdowns. In two games this season, Dixon has thrown for 14 TDs and just one interception.

Reed caught eight passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns, including a 37-yard bomb on which Dixon hit him in stride and Reed hauled it in despite being blanketed by a Sioux City defender.

Anthony Candler also caught two TD passes, and Willie Austin and Charles Anthony each caught one. Eddie Linscomb rushed for 26 yards and a touchdown and also caught two passes for 34 yards.

Despite the lopsided score, O'Neal said the Outlaws could have played much better.

"I was disappointed with our second half," said the coach. "I thought we let up a little bit, especially on defense. We made some mistakes in the secondary that we need to get fixed in a hurry. And we didn't get much production from our defensive ends tonight ... those guys have to be more consistent.

"Offensively, we put up a lot of points but I wasn't thrilled with our execution. Even though the points were about the same, I thought we executed a lot better in the first game.

"We'll get back to work Monday, correct our mistakes and move forward. We played OK tonight, but our guys know they can play better."

Billings is 2-0 on the season, outscoring its two opponents by 142-68. Sioux City is now 1-1.

The Outlaws and Bandits meet again this Friday in Sioux City. The Outlaws return home in two weeks for a potential battle of unbeatens with three-time defending UIF champion Sioux Falls on April 5.

Billings 72, Sioux City 38

Sioux City 0 12 6 20 - 38

Outlaws 16 31 7 18 - 72

First quarter

Billings - Travis Salter safety, 10:54.

Billings - Eddie Linscomb 7 run (Jeffrey Hastings kick), 7:39.

Billings - Robert Reed 10 pass from Chris Dixon (Hastings kick), 4:08.

Second quarter

Billings - Hastings 51 field goal, 12:58.

Sioux City - Zac Gradoville 21 field goal, 9:12.

Billings - Anthony Candler 4 pass from Dixon (Hastings kick), 7:28.

Sioux City - Steven Rush 48 kickoff return (kick failed), 7:05.

Billings - Robert Reed 37 pass from Dixon (Hastings kick), 5:46.

Billings - Willie Austin 5 pass from Dixon (Hastings kick), :34.

Billings - Travonti Johnson 39 interception return (Hastings kick), :15.

Sioux City - Gradoville 37 field goal, :06.

Third quarter

Sioux City - Zach Malacek 2 run (kick failed), 2:41.

Billings - Candler 14 pass from Dixon (Hastings kick), 1:07.

Fourth quarter

Billings - Charles Anthony 11 pass from Dixon (kick failed), 12:43.

Sioux City - Tommy Hofer 5 pass from Chad Kapanui (Malacek pass from Kapanui), 6:06.

Billings - Jason Peters 2 run (kick failed), 4:00.

Sioux City - Jamison Burns 1 run (pass failed), 2:07.

Sioux City - Kaylon Price 31 pass from Kapanui (run failed), :53.

Billings - Anthony 10 kickoff return (kick failed), :41.

Individual statistics

Rushing - Sioux City: Malacek 7-20, Kapanui 5-11, Burns 3-3, Tommy Hofer 1-(-2). Billings: Linscomb 9-26, Peters 4-17, Dixon 1-0.

Passing - Sioux City: Kapanui 26-40-3 - 271. Billings: Dixon 19-26-0 - 264.

Receiving - Hofer 6-59, Price 5-96, O.J. Simpson 5-68, Burns 5-26, Malacek 4-15, Rush 1-7. Billings: Reed 8-130, Candler 5-49, Austin 2-40, Linscomb 2-34, Anthony 1-11, Peters 1-0.

Leading tacklers - Sioux City: Chris Reid 8, John Zevenbergen 7, Spetlar Tonga 7, Alex Ardley 7. Billings: Travis Salter 15, Jacquwan Brackenridge 11, Roderick Hill 9.

Attendance - 3,976.