CAPITAL CITY OUTLAWS - HISTORY

SPRINGFIELD'S SEMI-PROFESSIONAL
EIGHT MAN FOOTBALL TEAM

CAPITAL CITY OUTLAWS

2004 8FL CHAMPIONS
2005 8FL BEST RECORD (12-2) AND SEMI-FINALISTS
2006 SEMI-FINALISTS

THE HISTORY OF THE CAPITAL CITY OUTLAWS

The Outlaws are from Springfield IL. The franchise began play in 1991 as the Springfield Statesman. The team founder was Maurice Horton, a notorious Springfield figure. The team, as an independent, played one game that year, against the legendary Racine Raiders. The score was reported to be over 100 to 0, in Racine's favor. Adrian Dotts took the team over in 1992, and the team's name was changed to The Springfield Buccaneers. After Dotts' departure in 1995, the team converted to a general manager system.

League Play: The Buccaneers played in the MCFL (Mid-Continental Football League) in 1993 and 1994, then joined the MFL (Midwest Football League) in 1995, until 2005. Since 2005, the Outlaws are a member of the 8FL, and no longer play 11 man football.

Team Name: From 1992 to 2002, the team name changed from the Buccaneers to the Bucs, The Bucks, and even the Fighting Tigers, though not officially. Of note: For the 1995 season, Coach Hibbler started his own team, The Sangamo Express, of which folded after the season was over. This team consisted of most of the 1994 Bucs Squad. The season record was 3-7.

(http://www.mcfl.org/history/1995.htm)

Former Head Coaches: Coach Hibbler, Adrian Dotts, Herb McMath, Stacey Moore (also GM, player), Herb Fullerton (also a player), Russ Anders (also GM, player), Chris Lawson (also a player). Keith Soulet worked with the team in various coaching capacities for several seasons.

Current Head Coach: In 1999, the Bucs won the MFL championship under Head Coach Chris Lawson. Coach Lawson coached the team from 1995 to 1999, and is also a former player. In '98 and '99, he was voted the MFL Coach of the Year. For the 2000 season, Chris served as the MFL league commissioner and his brother Alex Lawson served as assistant commissioner and league treasurer. (Coach Lawson and his brother Alex returned to the team as head coach in 2003).

*History data is provided by current Outlaws player Brent Bordenkircher and former player Tom Gaskins, both of whom played on most of these teams. Additional data and photos provided by Coach Lawson.

Team Standings

YEAR	RECORD (W-L)	HEAD COACH	LEAGUE	NOTES
1993	3-6	ADRIANE DOTTS	MCFL
1994	2-4	GREG HIBBLER	MCFL
1995	3-7	CHRIS LAWSON	MFL	MFL Playoffs
1996	4-7	CHRIS LAWSON	MFL	MFL Playoffs
1997	6-6	CHRIS LAWSON	MFL	MFL Playoffs
1998	7-3 (MFL) 9-4	CHRIS LAWSON	MFL	MFL Playoffs
1999	8-1 (MFL) 12-2	CHRIS LAWSON	MFL	MFL LEAGUE CHAMPS Midstates National Tourney Runner-Up
2000	0-8	HERB FULLERTON	MFL
2001	1-7	HERB FULLERTON	MFL
2002	1-8	RUSS ANDERS	MFL
2003	8-4	CHRIS LAWSON	MFL	MFL Playoffs
2004	6-4 (MFL) 9-3 (8FL)	CHRIS LAWSON	MFL 8FL	1st Arena Football in Springfield 8FL LEAGUE CHAMPS
2005	1-3 (MFL) 12-2 (8FL)	CHRIS LAWSON	MFL 8FL
2006	9-2	CHRIS LAWSON	8FL	Runner Up
2007	10-1	CHRIS LAWSON	8FL
2008	8-5	TOMAS AKERS	8FL	Runner Up

OLD LOGOS...

Outlaw Creed

The warrior spirit reminds me that no one can stop me today: That this is my day. Hidden inside of me is a warrior who reacts on instinct waiting to be released. As I buckle my chinstrap, instinct consumes my body and mind, knowing that I have worked harder and prepared myself to conquer the man across from me. Life will no longer be the same. I will push myself to unbearable pain only to have that pain fade away each time the ball is snapped. Fatigue plays no favorites in football. It only fears those who have worked hard in the days before the game. I visualize myself making plays only champions could make. My heart races as the game is fast and bodies move in blurred motion. Blood and sweat bead off my body as the game goes on. My emotions take over, challenging my limits. It’s simple! The battlefield is made up of warriors that play an intense game based upon the elements of speed, strength and endurance. This game is a way of life, and it has taught me all that I know. After each battle, I lie physically exhausted, left only to ponder on the blessings of competition and victory.

©2003-2007 Capital City Outlaws
©1996-2002 Springfield Buccaneers
©1994-1995 Springfield Buccaneers and Sangamo Express
©1993 Springfield Buccaneers
©1992 Springfield Statesman

Updated Tuesday, July 01, 2008 11:24:51 AM