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Head Coach Bryson Announces the Signing of Five New Greyhounds

February 16, 2007 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Ohio Valley Greyhounds News Release


The Ohio Valley Greyhounds today announced the signing of (5) five new players to their roster. All of today's announced players will be new to the Greyhound organization. The players are running back Charles Pearson, defensive back Joseph Brooks, running back Keith Brooks, Kicker John Sims, and offensive lineman Alvin Johnson.

" I am very excited to be announcing the signing of these five very talented ballplayers that will helping us in 2007 at a variety of positions", said Ervin Bryson, Greyhounds Head Coach. "Not only have all of these guys excelled wherever they have played, but most of them have considerable experience at the professional level, and can play on both sides of the ball. We are putting together a very solid, experienced team for 2007 in our run for the play-offs and League Championship. I expect to have some additional equally exciting contracts to announce by early next week", Bryson continued.

Charles Pearson - New to the Greyhounds for 2007 at running back is Charles Pearson is a 5' 11" 225 lbs. Charles is a native of Miami, Florida where he attended Hialeah High School and played football, baseball, ran track, and wrestled. As a senior he attended Miami Springs Senior High where he played both sides of the ball at running back and safety. His senior year he rushed for over 600 yards and 8 touchdowns on offense and amassed 75 tackles on defense. Charles was awarded All-Florida honors for those accomplishments. He was also selected to play in Sydney Australia in the 50 States Down Under Bowl Game.

Pearson's College Career began at Suny Morrisville State in New York and he finished at Minnesota State College4 in International Falls, Minnesota with a degree in Child Psychology. He returned to Florida in 2006 to play in the Next Level League under former New York Giant Clifford Tubbs. He finished last season as the leagues leading rusher with 1,136 yards and was awarded Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the Bowl Game rushing for 109 yards on 18 attempts with 3 touchdowns.

Joseph Brooks - A new 'Hound for 2007 at the Defensive Back position is Joseph Brooks at 6' 1" 220 lbs. Joseph is a native of Cincinnati where he attended Aiken High School. While at Aiken he was awarded All-City honors and led the league in tackles at the linebacker position. He also rushed for 1,223 yards, scored 26 touchdowns, grabbed 11 interceptions and finished with 165 tackles.

Brooks attended Central State University where he became Freshman of the Year and later led the team in interceptions with 9, and was awarded player of the Week 2 times. As a professional Brooks played with the Gladitori Roma in Rome, Italy where he was the League leading kick returner, League leading tackler with 121 as a strong safety and cornerback, and led the team in interceptions with 4. He was also voted Player of the Week. Most recently, Brooks played Indoor Football with the Dayton Bulldogs where he was second in the league in interceptions with 8, led the league in kick returns, earned Player of the Week honors, played in the All-Star game at Free Safety, and was awarded "Hard Hitter" of the Year honors.

Keith Brooks - New to the 2007 Greyhounds is Running Back Keith Brooks at 5' 11" 225 lbs. Keith is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio and currently lives in Middletown, Ohio. While in High School Keith became a 2 time All-American, played in the North-South Game. He finished high school senior year with 2,276 yards rushing and 35 touchdowns with 7 touchdowns coming in 1 game

Keith attended Western Kentucky University Western Kentucky University where he started as a true freshman. He became newcomer of the year and Player of the Week as a Freshman two different times. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in both his Junior and Senior Year and scored 6 rushing touchdowns in 1 game. He also set a record for the Most Rushing Yards with 255 yards on 19 carries.

Keith has played for the Bengals and the Buffalo Bills in the NFL as well as the Gladitori Roma in Italy where he earned the Leagues Most Valuable Player Award with over 1,700 yards rushing. He also played for the Dayton Warbirds of the National Indoor Football League (NIFL) where he rushed for 263 yards in a single game.

John Sims - Joining the Greyhound organization this year is Kicker John Sims at 6' 3" 210 lbs. John is a native of Plain City, Ohio. John attended Otterbein College where he was a 3 year letterman and a standout Kicker making 1st team All-Conference and 3rd Team All-Region. He had the 3rd most field goals in the nation Division III and had 14 FGS on 16 attempts. He was voted Special Teams Player of the Week 3 times in his conference. He set a conference and school record for 4 field goals in 1 game, and a school record for 8 extra points in a single game.

On the Professional level John starred for the Wyoming Cavalry in the National Indoor Football League in 2006 where he earned Special Teams Player of the Week 5 times. John has a field goal distance range of up to 60 yards and also does kick-off duties.

Alvin Johnson - Coming to the Greyhounds at the Offensive Line Position is 6' 5" 320 lbs. Alvin Johnson. Alvin is a native of Marshall, Minnesota and was a 2 year starter at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) starting all games at Left Tackle. While at SMSU he was key in helping the teams offense rush for 1,770 yards, the 3rd highest total in school history.

He also played 2 years at Diablo Valley Junior College in Pleasant Hills, California under Coach Ralph Depew. Alvin started all two years at Diablo earning 1st Team All-Conference honors

The Ohio Valley Greyhounds also announced they will be holding their 2nd 2007 Football Try-Outs on Saturday, February 24, 2007 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The location of the Try-outs will be at the Ohio University Eastern Campus in the Sports Center behind the Main Building. The facility is located just off I-70 - Exit 213 & US Route 40 just west of the 213 exit. To be eligible for the Try-Outs you must be 18 years of age or older. Participants in the Try-Outs will be tested for speed, strength, and football skills. There is a $30.00 try-out fee which will be refunded to any player signed to a Greyhound Contract. If you wish to Try-Out, plan to arrive at the Ohio University Eastern Sports Center by 8:45 am and bring indoor running shoes If you are interested in Trying Out, would like additional information, or would like to pre-register, simply call Coach Ervin Bryson at the Ohio Valley Greyhound office at 304-232-1918 Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Or his cell phone at 304-639-5671.

Training camp for the Greyhounds begins March 9, 2007. The Greyhounds 9th season opens Saturday March 24, 2006 with a Home Opener against the Lexington Horsemen at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling with kickoff at 7:00 pm.

The Greyhound organization has announced that at all home games this year, all Greyhound ticket holders will be welcome Free of Charge to attend a Collegiate or High School Indoor Lacrosse match which will take place from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm at WesBanco Arena prior to each Hound home game. Lacrosse has become the fastest growing sport in the country today and like indoor football is a phenomenal spectator sport. Speed, skill, strength and toughness are just a few of the qualities that make this sport the fastest game on two feet. Indoor Lacrosse is filled with amazing passes, bruising hits, outstanding goaltending, stunning passing, and poetic grace and agility.

After the Lacrosse game ends at 5:30, fans can view the Greyhounds and the opposing team goes through their warm-ups prior to kick-off. Also the Arena vestibule will feature activities for the entire family including top-notch, live entertainment from around the region, a pre-game pep rally, fun play activities for the kids, face painting for adults & children, photo-ops with Blitz the Mascot and other special guests, and lots of unannounced surprises prior to the 7:00 pm Greyhounds kick-off.

New season tickets are now on sale for all 7 home games and may be purchased by check, money order, or credit card. Season tickets may be purchased at the: WesBanco Arena Box Office - 2 Fourteenth Street - Wheeling, WV (304) 233-4470

The Greyhound office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am. to 5:00 pm and may be reached by calling (304) 232-1918 for additional information.

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