Finally, the moment Arena Football fans have been waiting for! A week one battle between the West Division Billings Outlaws and the Central Division Wichita Regulators pitted two talented teams against one another. TDS Fiber Field in Billings, Montana was the host site with a great group of fans in attendance. In a hotly contested game, one team reigned supreme.

FIRST QUARTER

The Outlaws would receive the ball to open their AFL season. A two-play drive would result in a touchdown pass from quarterback Issac Harker to wide receiver Duane Brown, who made it 7-0 early on. The Regulators, as led by Quarterback Derrick Bernard, would attempt to answer. Their season-opening drive fizzled out. A one-play drive would ensue for Billings as Harker connected with Wide Receiver Arthur Anderson IV on a great touchdown pass. The Outlaws would go up 13-0 midway through the first quarter of action.

The Regulators would once again go four and out. Harker and the Billings offense would march down the field for another score. A dart from Harker for another touchdown made it 19-0. Outlaws Kicker Bailey Giffen notched his second extra point of the night, extending the lead 20-0. The score would sit at 20-0 in favor of the Outlaws after one.

The Outlaws wasted no time capitalizing on the Regulators’ inability to sustain offensive drives. Harker connected with multiple receivers to move the ball downfield. The Regulator's offensive line had a rough first quarter against the Billings pass rush. Coupled with bad snaps and poor communication, the Outlaws took advantage of the opportunity early on.

SECOND QUARTER

Regulators Wide Receiver Jordus Smith would break off a huge gain to open the second quarter. Two plays later, Bernard connected with Wide Receiver Drevon Macon to give Wichita its first points of the 2024 season. Billings’ lead was cut to 20-6. The Outlaws would score again with another Harker passing touchdown. Billings’ lead was extended 26-6 following Harker’s fourth touchdown pass of the half. The ensuing kickoff saw Giffen notch the first Deuce of the 2024 AFL season, extending the Outlaws' lead 28-6.

With 9:12 left in the half and Wichita on offense, Outlaws Defensive Lineman Derrick Harvey sacked Bernard, pushing the Regulators back. Bernard took command of the offense and set up the Regulators in the red zone. Billings Defensive Back Hunter Swoboda intercepted Bernard and returned it for a TD after a bad throw. Outlaws Defensive Linemen Devonte Wright applied great pressure to create the turnover. With the score 34-6 following the pick-six, Giffen notched another extra point to extend the Outlaws lead to 35-6.

Wichita took over with 4:58 left in the half. A fourth down pass attempt would result in a pass interference penalty by Billings. Despite being down 35-6, the Regulators Bernard-to-Samuel connection continued to shine. However, The offensive line woes continued to occur for Wichita. The Outlaws would possess the ball last and would push for another score. The final play of the half saw Harper connect with Wide Receiver Harvey for a touchdown. The score would be 41-6 at the half.

FIRST HALF ANALYSIS

The Outlaws controlled the trenches, making it difficult for Wichita to get anything going. Quarterback Issac Harper looked poised, connecting with multiple targets for touchdowns. Kicker Bailey Giffen added five points of his own and showcased his accuracy. The Regulators looked out of sync in the first half. Despite great pocket presence from Quarterback Derrick Bernard, the offensive line crumbled. Even with the offense struggling, Wichita moved the ball well on occasion. Wichita’s WR duo of Samuel and Smith were bright spots.

Analyzing the defense for Billings, Defensive Back Hunter Swoboda pulled down a fantastic pick-six interception. Consistent pressure along the defensive line made it impossible for the Regulators to sustain momentum. Wichita's defense could not contain the Outlaws' pass catchers. Big plays downfield and run-after-catch opportunities were frequent for Billings.

THIRD QUARTER

Giffen would connect on his second Deuce, extending Billings’ lead 43-6. The Regulators once again tried to get something going on offense. Smith hauled in a great pass into the end zone from Bernard. That score made it 43-12 with 11:25 left in the third quarter. A touchdown-saving tackle by Regulators Kicker Stegon Speno prevented Armstrong from scoring on the next kick return. A one-play drive would see Harvey snagging a bullet pass from Harker, his fifth TD pass of the night. Another extra point from Giffen would make the score 50-12 midway through the third.

Smith would come alive on the next Regulators’ drive. He would haul in yet another touchdown pass from Bernard, cutting the deficit to 50-18 Billings. A holding penalty on the ensuing kickoff would set up the Outlaws in a rough field position. Wichita would be hit with an illegal substitution penalty as well. The Outlaws would continue to send the ball Anderson’s way. On fourth and one, Harker would run a Quarterback Sneak but would come up short. That defensive stop gave the Regulators more momentum. With the third quarter winding down, Samuel would haul in a beautifully thrown touchdown pass. The Regulators inched closer with a score of 50-24. A crazy two-point conversion play put Wichita closer with a score of 50-26 to end the third quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER

Brown caught a 50-plus touchdown pass from Harker, knocking the wind out of Wichita’s sails. Following another extra point by Giffen, the Outlaws extended their lead 57-26. Another special teams blunder by the Regulators would result in a Rogue, making it 58-26 Billings. The miscommunications with the Regulators' offensive line would show once again. Another drive ended with zero points for the Regulators.

The Outlaws would move the ball down the field and sprinkle run plays for Fullback Joel Blankenship. Higgins hauled in a beautiful ball from Harker but would be one yard short of a touchdown. With one minute left to play and just one yard separating Billings with a score, Anderson would rush for a touchdown. Following another successful extra point attempt from Giffen, Billings extended their lead 66-26. The final Regulators drive saw Bernard heave a pass downfield that was intercepted by Billings. The score would show 66-26 in favor of the Outlaws as the clock hit 0:00.

LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK TWO

The 1-0 Billings Outlaws will take on the 1-0 Oregon Blackbears on the road in their week two matchup. Meanwhile, the 0-1 Wichita Regulators look to bounce back from this loss as they face the Salina Liberty in their 2024 home opener.