The sleeper bus made the voyage a bit more tolerable. But a 20-plus hour trip from Bloomington to Billings, Mon., for last Saturday's United Indoor Football game could hardly be described as a luxury cruise. | Extreme page

"That was a little rough," Extreme coach Kenton Carr said. "We figured out we were on the road 48 of the 72 hours we were gone. It was an experience."

The team left on Thursday evening and practiced in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday morning. Getting back on the road, the Extreme stopped to walk around and eat at a mall in Rapid City, S.D., for about an hour. Arrival in Billings came around 11 p.m. mountain time on Friday.

"That was bad," said defensive end Quince Holman. "I think the whole team would have mutinied if we were on a regular bus. The sleeper was a little better."

The group passed the time playing cards, watching movies and playing video games.

"At least we had the sleeper bus with beds," agreed linebacker Blue Aldridge. "Otherwise we're just sitting there staring at the road. It was a rough ride, that's for sure."

According to Carr, cabin fever began to set in on the trip back after the 60-26 loss to Billings.

"By the end, people were like 'get me off this bus.' It was just too long," said the Bloomington coach. "I don't recommend it."

Shortly after kicker Peter Christofilakos suffered a groin injury in pregame warm ups, the Extreme had to deal with footballs that were not to its liking.

"The home team provides all the footballs. They spray a coating on the ball out there for some reason, which we didn't agree with," Carr said. "It's supposed to make the ball tacky, but it actually made it slippery. Our guys didn't like it. If our guys had a chance to get used to it, it would be a different story. They wouldn't let us use our own ball."

Christofilakos still aching

Christofilakos hopes to be available for Saturday's 7:05 p.m. home game against Sioux City at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. He aggravated a previous groin injury on a short kick in pregame work.

"I felt good. I went back to 58, 60 yards and felt fine," he said. "I came up for a 20-yarder, and I don't know what it was. Maybe it was the angle I hit it at. It felt like it kind of ripped."

Christofilakos tried to kick again a half hour later but it was too painful. Linebacker Blue Aldridge took over the kicking duties and fared quite well on kickoffs, but his only field goal attempt was blocked. Carr did not call for an extra-point kick attempt.

The Extreme signed former Normal Community High School and University of Illinois kicker Doug Higgins on Wednesday. Higgins will kick on Saturday if Christofilakos cannot.

"That's why it's great to have Doug in town," said Carr. "We can call on him at any time and he's ready to go. He has proven in the past what an outstanding kicker he is. He bailed us out in a couple of games last season."

Christofilakos will continue ultrasound, ice and acupuncture therapy this week.

"We'll see," he said. "It's just hit or miss."

A loss off the field

The Extreme is mourning the death of former assistant equipment manager John Snyder Jr., who died last week at the age of 45.

"He was part of the team," Carr said. "I was totally shocked, stunned when I heard the news. It's just a tragedy. He was a very good guy who helped us a lot around here."

Extreme measures

The Extreme also signed defensive back B.J. Brown on Wednesday. Brown is a former Eastern Illinois player … Signed last week, offensive lineman Anthony Rubican was not on the active roster against Billings but may see action against Sioux City, according to Carr … Members of the Bloomington and Normal police and fire departments will play in the Guns N' Hoses flag football games on Saturday at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. The police and fire departments from Bloomington will square off from noon to 1:30 p.m., while their Normal counterparts will play from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Tickets for the games are $5 with half the admission price donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. A combination ticket for both the flag football games and the Extreme game is available for $15 … The Extreme will wear specially designed jerseys depicting the Guns N' Hoses theme. The jerseys will be auctioned off on the field after the game … Bloomington quarterback Dusty Burk will sign autographs and meet with fans at the U.S. Cellular store in Parkway Plaza, near Wal-Mart in Normal, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.

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This week with the Extreme

Sioux City (3-6) at Extreme (5-5)

When: 7:05 p.m. Saturday

Where: U.S. Cellular Coliseum, Bloomington

Radio: WTRX-FM (93.7)

FYI: Bloomington will try to hand the Bandits another loss after a 53-49 victory on April 26 in Sioux City, Iowa.

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UIF standings

EAST

Team…W…L…PCT…PF…PA

Bloomington…5…5….500…408…457

RiverCity …3…6….333…259…334

Sioux City…3…6….333…360…411

Wichita…2…7….222…234…359

WEST

Omaha…8…2….800…418…323

Sioux Falls…7…2….778…398…301

Billings…6…3….667…433…295

Colorado…3…6….333…305…335

Saturday's games

Sioux City at Bloomington, 7:05 p.m.

RiverCity at Colorado

Billings at Omaha

Wichita at Sioux Falls

Extreme leaders

Points

1. James Walton…110

2. Peter Christofilakos…76

3. Derin Graham…66

Passing yards

1. Dusty Burk…1,698

2. Freddie Ray…244

Rushing yards

1. Dusty Burk…200

2. Keith Brooks…138

Receiving yards

1. James Walton…771

2. Derin Graham…624

3. Andre Raymond…262

Kick returns

………No….Avg.

1. Derin Graham……20…20.2

2. Andre Raymond…32…16.0

UIF leaders

Points

1. James Walton, Blo…110

2. Ricky LeBeda, Oma…90

3. Adam Hicks, SF…82

Passing yards

1. Chris Dixon, Bill……1,860

2. Dusty Burk, Blo……1,698

3. Chad Kapanui, SC…1,596

Rushing yards

1. James McNear, Oma…419

2. Sean Treasure, SF…371

3. R.J. Rollins, Oma…307

Receiving yards

1. James Walton, Blo…771

2. Derin Graham, Blo…624

3. O.J. Simpson, SC……604

Kick returns

(Minimum 10 returns)

………No….Avg.

1. Hurtis Chinn, Riv…26…23.9

2. Alex Ardley, SF……15…23.1

3. Charles Anthony, Bill…23…22.2

Field goals

………FG-FGA…Pct.

1. Christofilakos, Blo…12-24….500

2. LeBeda, Oma…17-36….472

3. Yaussi, Col…12-30….400