BlueCats Add to Already Impressive Roster

Published on March 13, 2006 under United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Evansville BlueCats News Release


EVANSVILLE, IN: The Evansville BlueCats are pleased to announce the signing of 5 new players for the 2006 season that have joined their new teammates just in time for the start of training camp. These signing instantly add talent on both sides of the football and give the team plenty of depth going into camp. The players include quarterback Dan Mettlach, linebacker John Winchester, offensive lineman Morris Sanders, running back DJ Johnson, and wide receiver Richard Cooper.

Quarterback Dan Mettlach joins the BlueCats after leading NCAA Division II Michigan Tech to the teams first ever Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championship and the schools first ever appearance in the NCAA Playoffs. Mettlach led the team to a perfect 9-0 in GLIAC play, and led an offense that ranked among the nation's top 10 in rushing, scoring, and total offense. He was named 2004 GLIAC Football "Player of the Year" by the league coaches. Mettlach passed for 1,683 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2004 and also ran for 302 yards and 5 touchdowns. He holds the school record with 50 career touchdown passes. Mettlach is originally from Gwinn, Michigan.

John Winchester started at linebacker for the University of Louisiana - Monroe from 2001-2004 after redshirting as a true freshman in 2000. He earned all conference honors during his junior and senior seasons, and was named an Academic All-American for his work in the classroom as he earned his degree in Math from UL-Monroe. Last spring he signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns and attended Rookie Mini Camp. Winchester attended Logansport High School in Logansport, LA where he played football, basketball, and baseball. As a football player, he saw time at several positions, including quarterback, strong safety, punter, kicker, and receiver. Winchester and his teammates reached the high school state semi-finals in 3 seasons in football, once in basketball, and once in baseball.

Morris "Mo" Sanders joins the BlueCats after playing college football for Western Carolina. Sanders redshirted in the 2000 season before playing at right guard from 2001-2004. He was part of the Western Carolina offense that led the league in passing during the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Originally from Pineville, North Carolina, Sanders attended South Mecklenburg High School where he played right tackle and right guard. As a senior, he earned all-state, all-conference, and all-county honors on the offensive line, and was chosen to the All-USA team that played in a high school All-Star in Australia.

Running back DJ Johnson has also signed with the BlueCats. Johnson was a running back at Culver-Stockton from 2001-2003 and made an appearance in the NAIA playoffs. He earned All-American honors in 2002 and 2003. He had professional workouts with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL in 2004 and the Houston Texans in 2005. He also spent time with the Peoria Rough Riders in 2005. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Johnson was a 3 sport prep star at Samuel Clemens High School. His high school football team advanced to the Texas semi-finals and he ran at the state track meet as a junior and senior in the 100 and 200 meter dash. He participated in the Texas relays invitational meet as a junior and senior. He also played forward on the soccer team.

The BlueCats have also signed wide receiver Richard Cooper. Originally from Kansas City, Kansas, Cooper was an all-conference and All-American receiver at Avila University and St. Mary College. Last year, he played in 6 games for the Lincoln Capitols where he played receiver and saw some action on defense, recording an interception and a tackle for a loss. He also played for the semi-pro Kane County Eagles last fall. Cooper attended Northeast High School in Kansas City where he played quarterback on offense and several positions on defense, including defensive end, linebacker, and safety. He earned all-conference honors at safety during his senior year.

For the complete 2006 training camp roster, keep watching the Evansville BlueCats website for updates.

Season tickets for the Evansville BlueCats 2006 season are on sale now. Stop by the office located at 815 John Street Suite 150 in Evansville or call the season ticket hotline at 812-437-CATS (437-2287). For more information on the Evansville BlueCats, please visit the website at www.evansvillebluecats.com.

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