BLOOMINGTON - Billings Outlaws coach Heron O'Neal spoke at length about the importance of Chris Dixon to his football team. The straightforward coach did not hold back the compliments for his gunslinging quarterback.

Yet each word of praise had a common thread - he's a leader.

That's the only word needed.

Each week, Dixon tore apart defenses with his ability to find an open receiver or scramble for a key first down. But it's what he does off the field that separates Dixon as he prepares to play in tonight's Casey's All-Star Classic at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

"He's a family guy. He's grown up," said O'Neal, who will coach the Western Conference. "He's mature and he's a leader. He's the leader of his household as well as a leader of this football team. How he plays and how he leads is how we do."

When Dixon is not practicing, playing or in a meeting, Dixon works a 40-hour-a-week night shift as a youth counselor at Montana Community Services.

The list still goes on. After leaving his shift, Dixon is an assistant football coach at Billings Senior High School and also drove a full-time bus route this past school year.

"Finding time for everything is pretty rough," said Dixon, who also has three children under the age of 10. "I'm a person that when I give my word I'm going to do it. Even when you feel tired and weak and feel like you really can't get up for something, I make it up."

Dixon's shift as counselor runs from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. After leaving work, Dixon will coach at the high school, then jet home to make lunch for his young children, and end his strenuous day by attending film sessions and football practice.

"I guess the hardest part is finding time to do everything," Dixon said.

This past season, Dixon completed 66.3 percent (222 of 335) of his passes for 2,300 yards and 61 touchdowns against eight interceptions in leading the Outlaws to the Western Conference championship game. While his gaudy numbers grab attention, his life spent helping others is what makes him special.

"Chris is a little more mature," Billings receiver Robert Reed said. "He loves kids and when you've been through so much, it's time to give back. I think that's what he's doing and I'm very proud of Chris on and off the football field as well."

That enables him to be the epitome of a leader, something O'Neal craves.

"I would rather have a true leader than just a great player," he said. "A leader can will a team to win. If you got skills you got skills. It's good that he has both. He does have those skills and he does have that leadership. When he says something, everybody's listening."

His ability to juggle a hectic schedule and be a successful quarterback has earned recognition.

"It's real rewarding to watch all the things I do and still be one of the top quarterbacks in the league," Dixon said. "Without all the rest that most get and still be playing at a level with Terrance Bryant, Ben Sankey, and Dusty Burk, it's rewarding. Being an all-star is a special thing. To be put on that level is good."

Still, no matter how much success he has on the gridiron, his heart will always go toward helping children.

"I still love kids," Dixon said. "I'm going to give my life to kids no matter what I'm doing."