Montana is a long way from the NFL, but every Saturday morning in September, YMCA flag football in small towns around Billings draws fans who cheer with as much passion for kids as die-hard fans do for the pros.

Through the Laurel YMCA program site, some 135 children in Laurel, Canyon Creek, Columbus, Park City and Fromberg host rival teams from neighboring communities.

The flag football program has grown substantially in the past two years and includes more teams from more communities than ever.

The success of the program is noteworthy because two years ago, the Laurel site was absorbed by the Billings YMCA.

The Laurel program was called the Yellowstone Valley YMCA and always was under the umbrella of the Billings YMCA, but up until 2006, the Billings YMCA held only loose oversight of the program.

"From a historical standpoint, we're healthier than we've ever been in Laurel," said Paul Manning, CEO of the Billings YMCA.

In 2006, the Laurel site was governed by a board of directors which was established in 2002. The board disbanded when Billings YMCA took over.

Billings YMCA leaders were concerned about mismanagement of finances at the Laurel site, and funds - some $125,000 - held in the Laurel YMCA bank accounts were transferred to the Billings YMCA.

Billings managers intended to keep the money, which was raised by Laurel YMCA staff and volunteers, set aside for Laurel programs.

The changes were unpopular with many members on the Laurel board and prompted in a legal challenge.

Interpretation of the original documents, which were drafted when the Laurel site was established, were found to be legally sound, and the changes implemented by the Billings YMCA were upheld.

"The people at that time were doing their best to provide programs, and we're still providing programs there," Manning said. "As long as the community wants us there, we're going to be there."

This year, the YMCA opted not to manage the Laurel City Pool, which it had done for many years. The pool was a central concern in 2006 for Billings YMCA leaders, who said it was not staffed to meet YMCA safety standards.

This summer, the city of Laurel provided swimming lessons instead of the YMCA.

Also this summer, YMCA officials decided to bus children in the summer day camp program to Billings for activities. The changes were made to provide more activities for children and to share staff resources, Manning said. The staff members from both the Billings and Laurel sites shared ideas and collaborated on activities and projects, and staff members from both places were encouraged by the opportunity to work together, he said.

Manning said that before 2006 there was very little sharing of resources, or support between the two locations.

"People who were leading our program at the time were of a little bit different attitude," said Shawna Herzog, director of the Laurel program site. "Now, I think we're focusing more on teamwork."

Next summer the program could return to the Laurel pool, Manning said.

The youth basketball program, which doesn't start until January is generating interest, with many families calling for early registration even though registration doesn't open until December.

The small karate program has increased by more that 20 children in two years, going from fewer than 10 students in 2006 to more than 30 today.

Although the Laurel program has operated in the red for the past two years, Manning said 2008 has been a good year and the program will likely break even and in the future be self-sustaining.

"Financially, we're better off, and the program offerings are improving, and the growth is a good indication of that - it's all about enrollments," Manning said.