Outlaws Win 2009 United Bowl
August 15, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL) News Release
Richmond, VA: The Billings Outlaws forever entrenched themselves in indoor football history, as they became the first ever IFL United Bowl Champions on Saturday afternoon, beating the RiverCity Rage 71-62. After fourteen regular season games, four rounds of playoffs, and over five months of action the Outlaws saved their best performance for last. Using a balanced running and passing attack, they kept the Rage's potent defensive unit guessing all game. In total, the Outlaws accumulated 344 yards of total offense.
The Outlaws surprised the Rage, and the sell-out crowd of 8,000 fans, when they recovered an on-sides kick to begin the contest. From there, Quarterback Chris Dixon took over much like he has done all season. The IFL's regular season MVP hit Robert Redd for a 31 yard strike on the very next play for the first of his five touchdown passes on the night. The Outlaws never looked back from there. RiverCity came within one score of the lead on several occasions, but could not solve Dixon and the Outlaw receivers. The Billings signal caller finished the game completing 14 of 26 passes for 162 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran the ball nine times for 45 yards and another score. For his efforts, the league announced after the game that Dixon was chosen as the United Bowl MVP.
"Chris has been the class of the IFL all season", stated IFL Commissioner Tommy Benizio. "He is a leader on the field and in the community, and we are proud to announce him as the first ever United Bowl MVP."
The Outlaws finished the regular season 12-2 and earned the number one seed and home field advantage throughout the postseason. That proved to be the best case scenario for Outlaws because they had not lost a game on home turf all year. After a bye in Round One, Billings defeated the Fairbanks Grizzlies and the El Paso Generals to clinch a spot in the Championship game. The Outlaws "Ninth Man" was a factor in each victory. With an average attendance this season of over 6,000, the players and coaches fed off the Billings crowd's energy for the entire playoffs. They realized they couldn't have had the success that they have had this season without the faithful support.
"We couldn't have done this without you," said Outlaw's Head Coach Heron O'Neal to the fans during the post-game ceremonies. "Thank you Billings for helping us become the Champions of the IFL."
The IFL now heads into their first offseason in their brief history, and have already begun preparations for the 2010 season. Included in those preparations, are plans for expansion. Letters of Intent have been signed by Wasilla, Alaska, Richmond, Virginia, and La Crosse, Wisconsin to become the newest members of the Indoor Football League next season. The IFL will host their league meetings later this month to better the league for years to come.
The Indoor Football League was created in 2008 out of the merger between the Intense Football League and the United Indoor Football Association. It consists of 19 teams spanning from Fairbanks, Alaska to Washington DC with the season being played from March through August. Log onto www.GoIFL.com for more information, or call the IFL offices at 804-643-PASS (7277).
Indoor Football League Stories from August 15, 2009
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.
