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MISSOULA- The Montana Grizzlies are spending this month practicing and a handful of other area squads are ready to begin another season on the gridiron. The Rocky Mountain Football League will kickoff soon. And the Missoula Phoenix will enter this year with a bunch of changes.

Michael Burks bought the team from owner and founder John Velk last year. Burks also owns the Missoula Maulers, and since he took over the Phoenix have a new logo, new jerseys and a new home. The club will play under the lights at Rollins Field, home of the Loyola Rams, instead of in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

"I think it's going to be a lot better because of the fact it's a smaller venue, and the crowd will be louder," said fourth year head coach Willie Beamon. ":So, that's going to make a great deal of difference."

"Missoula needs something to do in the Spring, because I went to Phoenix games and it's a fun time," said Burks. "So, and also too we have a footprint from the Maulers to make a successful program and make it fan friendly."

"He's been in this," said Beamon when asked about Burks. "He's got the right marketing people in place to help get our name out there. I think that's going to be a big difference this year. We're going to have a lot of people in the stands."

The crowd will get their first chance to watch some RMFL football this Saturday night. The Phoenix host the Clark Fork Rush in a preseason game at 7:00. And admission is free for anyone heading to Rollins Field. The regular season will begin on April 9th.