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Stage Is Set, El Paso vs. Billings For Intense Conference Championship

July 31, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
El Paso Generals News Release


The Intense Conference Championship Game is set and the game itself is arguably the most anticipated match-up of the 2009 IFL playoffs featuring the Billings Outlaws (13-2) hosting the El Paso Generals (13-2). This is the first ever meeting between both teams and you could not ask for a better situation as the winner will be crowned the Intense Conference Champions and earn a spot in the 2009 United Bowl. Both teams have been dominating through out the regular season and in the post-season. Billings earned home field advantage after winning the tie-breaker over the Generals because of better overall point differential and the winner of the ball game on Saturday, August 1 will host The United Bowl.

This game will feature the top two quarterbacks in the IFL in Tommy Jones (El Paso) and Chris Dixon (Billings). Jones led the Generals to a 75-37 second round playoff win over the San Angelo Stampede Express last weekend. Jones finished throwing for six touchdown passes to three different receivers in the win as the Generals defense provided pressure on QB Sonny Cumbie through out most of the game. If Jones can continue to be as accurate as he was against San Angelo then the Billings secondary will have their hands full especially with an incredible core of receivers in DeAngelo Woodie, Lemans Casimier and Josh Smith. Look for Woodie to be key in kickoff returns but on the other hand look for RB Ulysses Odoms to be a weapon running the football for El Paso especially inside the red-zone. Odoms has the ability to score from any part of the field and watch for Jermaine Blakely to get a carry or two if El Paso is near the goal line.

IFL Most Valuable Player, Chris Dixon, led the Outlaws to a 50-7 second round playoff win over the Fairbanks Grizzlies last weekend. Dixon registered an incredible 81 total touchdowns this season but on a surprising note, it was the Outlaws defense that was the real story in the win over Fairbanks. The Outlaws defense collected three turnovers and a safety in the win. Additionally, the Outlaws running game was very effective through out much of the ball game. The El Paso defense is going to have to be on their toes because Dixon is a dangerous dual-threat quarterback who can light up the scoreboard through the air and on the ground. Look for Dixon to go to James Walton or Robert Redd in the passing game. Walton collected 34 touchdown receptions during the regular season. If Billings decides to counter with the running game expect Dixon to be a key factor but also look for Timothy Brown and Charles Anthony to make an impact running with the football as well.

El Paso will be stacked defensively at the line scrimmage with Ron Ellington and Jermaine Blakely, but the key player will be Sam Smith and his open-field tackling abilities. Look for Travis Johnson and Melvin Screen to play key roles in defending the pass in the secondary. Billings has a defense that finished first in the IFL in turnover margin and eighth in total defense. Christopher Turner is a talented defensive linemen who will bring pressure to quarterback Tommy Jones. LB Kelly Rouse will be a key weapon in defending short-yardage passing plays and containing the run, but look for Michael Eby to be a huge factor in defending the pass. Eby collected 10 interceptions for the Outlaws during the regular season.

This match-up has all the makings of being a classic playoff game. Both teams carry a great offense and a solid defense but only one team will book a ticket to The United Bowl. Look for a fast start from both teams, but the end result will come down to which team can create the game-changing turnover and which offense can control time of possession. The El Paso Generals front office would like to additionally announce that the Intense Conference Championship Game will be shown at Hiney's Restaurant located at 8220 Gateway Boulevard East in El Paso. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. from the Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark in Billings. Further information regarding these topics can be obtained by contacting the El Paso Generals front office at (915) 598 - PASS (7277) or by visiting the El Paso Generals official website at www.elpasogenerals.net.

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