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Outlaws, Storm Do Battle As Playoff Picture Takes Shape

June 11, 2010 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Billings Outlaws News Release


When the Billings Outlaws and Sioux Falls Storm square off at 7 p.m. on national television tomorrow night, there will be a big-time playoff atmosphere at Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark in what could likely be a preview to next months United Bowl.

It's not enough that the two teams can't stand each other on the field, but the winner of Saturday nights contest will gain the inside track to hosting the IFL championship game on July 17th, while the loser will likely finsish the season with three losses -- pending the outcome of both teams regular season finales next weekend -- and have to do much of their post-season work on the road.

Both teams come into the game with identical 10-2 records and have clinched their respective division titles. In the teams only other meeting this season, the Storm defeated the Outlaws 37-31 in Sioux Falls back on March 22.

"With the way their field is set up, we are able to do some things defensively that allow us to make it even smaller than what it is," said fifth-year Outlaws head coach Heron O'Neal after Friday's walk through at the Billings SportsPlex. "I don't believe in moral victorys but for us to only lose by six and only score 31 points, that's about as close as they come."

On display Saturday will be two of the IFL's most dynamic quarterbacks as the Outlaws Chris Dixon and the Storm's Terrance Bryant square off renew their rivalry.

Bryant, who is in his ninth season, is second in the league in completion perecentage among quarterbacks with 100 attempts at 68 percent and is fifth in the league in yards, while two-time league MVP Chris Dixon is completing 67 percent of his throws and has thrown for just under 1700 yards this season.

"I don't expect Chris to try and do to much," said O'Neal. "Earlier in his career he would have. But he knows now this isn't an individual battle and I really expect a big game out of him tomorrow night."

Bryant holds a 8-4 advantage over the Outlaws, including a 2-0 mark in the playoffs, however Billings has won three of the last four meetings, including a 34-22 win in Sioux Falls last June that snapped the Storms 35-game home winning streak.

Billings who is looking to extend their own home winning streak to 19 games, has not lost at home since May 24th, 2008 when the Storm defeated them 62-52.

The loss gave the Storm home-field advantage throughout the playoffs that season where they defeated the Outlaws in the Western Conference finals and went on to win the UIF Championship.

"As we all know it's very tough to win on the road in this league," said Outlaws co-owner, Wally Yovetich, Friday afternoon. "We went down this road in 2008 when we had to go play down there in the playoffs. We have the ability to prevent that from happening tomorrow night."

Following Saturday nights showdown, the Outlaws hosts the Tri-Cities Fever at 7 p.m. to close out the regular season before hosting a first-round playoff game on Sunday June 27th.

MetraPark said early Friday afternoon that they expect a large amount of walk-ups on Saturday and are asking fans to get their early.

"We've already sold over 2,500 tickets for tomorrow night's game," said MetraPark Box Office General Manager, SueD Devries. "and I am anticipating a large amount of walk-up tickets to be sold tomorrow."



Indoor Football League Stories from June 11, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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