Blizzard and Extreme Swap Four Key Offensive Players
August 16, 2011 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release
Green Bay, WI: The Green Bay Blizzard announces that they have reached a trade agreement with the Bloomington Extreme. The Blizzard will send QB Willie Copeland (Valdosta State) and OL Tim Mueller (St. Norbert College) to Bloomington for WR James Walton (Truman State) and WR Johnny Gray (Northern Iowa). Head Coach Rik Richards said, "We acquired two quality players from a quality program. We were looking for a big receiver to help out in the red zone and a playmaker that can stretch the field for us and help in the return game. I think we have found both in Walton and Gray."
James Walton, 6'3" 215 lbs. - Walton will enter his seventh season of professional indoor football. Walton spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons with the Bloomington Extreme before being sent to the Billings Outlaws in a trade for the 2009-2010 seasons. Walton returned to Bloomington for the 2011 season following back to back championships in Billings (Billings went dormant for the 2011 season due to a tornado destroying their arena). Walton played his collegiate football at Truman State.
Walton was a member of the All-IFL team in back to back seasons (2009 and 2010) and played in the 2007 and 2008 United Indoor Football All-Star games representing the Extreme in both games. During the 2009 and 2010 seasons, Walton was a finalist for IFL MVP honors while helping lead Billings to back to back league championships.
This past season with the Extreme, Walton caught 55 passes for 724 yards and 17 touchdowns. He averaged 55.7 yards per game and 13.2 yards per catch. Over his six year indoor football career, Walton has played in 80 games, compiling 382 catches for 4,890 yards for an average of 55.4 yards per game and 135 touchdowns.
Johnny Gray, 5'9" 185 lbs. - Gray spent the 2011 season as a member of the Bloomington Extreme. Gray saw action in 14 games and led all receivers in catches with 79. Gray compiled 663 yards and 9 touchdowns. He averaged 8.4 yards a catch and 47.4 yards per game.
Gray began his professional career in 2010 with the Extreme. Gray led the team with 70 catches for 602 yards and 7 touchdowns. He averaged 43 yards per game with a long of 24 yards and an average of 8.6 yards per catch.
Gray played his collegiate football at Northern Iowa University where he collected 141 receptions and 1,912 receiving yards, while compiling 3,724 all-purpose yards over the course of his collegiate career. The Deerfield Beach, Florida native known as "Big Play Johnny Gray" was selected as a 1st Team Gateway Conference Wide Receiver and Punt Returner, as well as a Sports Network All-American Wide Receiver and Punt Returner.
The Green Bay Blizzard are proud members of the Indoor Football League (IFL) and were awarded the 2011 IFL Franchise of the Year. The reigning Great Lakes Division Champions play all their home games at the Resch Center in Green Bay, WI. 2012 Season tickets are on SALE NOW, call 920-405-1264 to reserve your seat in the action! Make sure to follow the Blizzard on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news and updates on the team.
• Discuss this story on the Indoor Football League message board...
Indoor Football League Stories from August 16, 2011
- Putting on the Pressure - Binghamton
- Laying Down the Law - Binghamton
- Steelhawks Precious Metal Dance Team Tryouts September 17th and 18th - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
- Blizzard and Extreme Swap Four Key Offensive Players - Green Bay Blizzard
- IFL Players Moving Up - IFL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
