My Billings Gazette

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Saturday April, 25th at 7:05 PM  

Last night we looked at how the Outlaws defense matches up with the Storm offense. Tonight we will take a look at the Outlaws offense and Storm defense.

Matt Zimmer (Argus Leader and Storm beat writer) — The front three of Rachman Crable, Leif Murphy and Corey Johnsen is the best in the league (18 sacks this season). Johnsen and Murphy both have UIF sack titles under their belt, while Crable is the most athletic of the three.

They have two outstanding, hard-hitting linebackers that they love to play at the same time in Mark Blackburn and Keke Bouie, and while their defensive backfield is inexperienced, it has plenty of depth and athleticism.

Mike Zimmer (Gazette Sports Editor and Outlaws beat writer) —

Billings leads the IFL in scoring offense (57.4 points/game), while Sioux Falls is fourth in scoring defense (33.3 points/game).

Outlaws quarterback Chris Dixon, last year's league MVP, leads the league in TD passes (25), completion percentage (70.2) and passer rating (117.3). Billings receiver James Walton leads the league in TD receptions with 11. Dixon, Walton & Co. will be facing a Storm defense that leads the league in sacks (18).

As always, Billings will be looking to get the ball into the hands of running backs Charles Anthony and Tim Brown as much as possible. Anthony leads the league in touchdowns with 13 (6 rushing, 6 receiving and 1 kick return), while Brown leads the league in all-purpose yards with 633 (175 rushing, 177 receiving and 264 in kick returns).

Ryan Minch (Gazette Sports) — The Outlaws Offense has a slight advantage here, with the inexperience at defensive back for the Storm, and the tandem of Brown and Anthony at running back, Dixon, Walton & Co. should have multiple big play oppurtunities.

However, execution will need to be better for the Outlaws this week after Dixon struggled to control errant snaps from center Ya'Tarre Brown in last weeks 48-33 road loss to the Omaha Beef.

Offensive lineman Nolan Fisher and Anthony Bulluck will have their work cut out for them, trying to protect Dixon from Corey Johnson (6.5 sacks-2nd in IFL), but are more than capable of getting the job done.

Coming up tomorrow: Special Teams.