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Local Star Freddy Ray signs at Quarterback for the Greyhounds

February 8, 2007 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Ohio Valley Greyhounds News Release


The Ohio Valley Greyhounds announced today the signing of Freddy Ray as the new quarterback for the 'Hounds" for the upcoming 2007 season. Ray, an extremely gifted athlete at 6'-1", 205 pounds, has distinguished himself at quarterback throughout his high school, college, and professional career.

"The entire Greyhound organization is very pleased to have someone as talented as Freddy Ray to be leading the 'Hounds" as quarterback for this upcoming season," said Ervin Bryson, Greyhounds Head Coach. "His size, speed, accuracy, and athleticism will give us the high-powered offense that we are used to having here at Ohio Valley, and that our great fans love watching. Freddy has already had a stellar football career, which we are eager to see him continue here as the new quarterback for the Ohio Valley Greyhounds. We know that a player with Freddy's talent can take us through the Play-offs during our run in 2007 for the Championship trophy, Bryson added.

Freddy Ray is a native of Martins Ferry, Ohio and attended Martins Ferry High School where he excelled as a three-sport athlete earning four letters in track and three letters in football and basketball. During his high school career at Martins Ferry Ray earned:

- 1st team All- State, All-District, and All-Conference (Captain selection)

- Named District Player of the Year

- Voted Team Captain

- Passed for 1,780 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior

- Rushed for 685 yards (13.6 yards per carry)

- Led the team to 10-1 record his senior year and 18-3 in two years as starter

Ray played in 30 games for Ohio University Bobcats, starting 15 games at quarterback from 2000 to 2003 and lettered all four years. In 2003 against Big Ten Contender Minnesota he rushed for 93 yards on 22 carries and finished at 14 of 22 passing for 123 yards.

On the professional football level, Ray distinguished himself in 2005 as the starting quarterback for the Lubbock (Texas) Gunslingers in the National Indoor Football League (NIFL). Ray started eleven of fourteen games for the Gunslingers. A highlight of that season was a 48-47 victory over Beaumont where Ray threw for 211 yards racking up 5 passing touchdowns and 2 rushing scores. The highlight of that game was a 9 yard touchdown pass with 19 seconds remaining to give the Gunslingers the Victory.

In 2006 Ray became a star player for the Huntington (WV) Heroes of the American Indoor Football League (AIFL). Ray started all fourteen games for the Heroes at quarterback and was named 1st Team Northern Conference Quarterback selection. Ray led the team to a 9 - 5 record as a starter and guided the team into the play-offs, where the Heroes lost to the Northern Conference Champs Reading Express. In the season opener Ray threw for a franchise best 6 touchdowns with no interceptions. In addition, Ray threw for 1,576 yards amassing 45 touchdowns with only 12 interceptions. Ray also led the Heroes with 21 rushing touchdowns.

"I am very pleased to welcome someone with Freddy's talent to be leading the Hounds in 2007", said Lou Stein, Greyhound owner. "I have followed Freddy's career through high school and college and have always thought that it would be great to get him back to play in the Ohio Valley in front of his hometown crowd. Freddy has great speed and accuracy and is equally explosive as a passer and a runner. Having Freddy team up with our great wide receivers, Willie Austin and Darrell Dowery, both league leading wide receivers from last year, is going to give our opponents a very difficult time on defense. It is also great that local and regional fans who have followed Freddy's career throughout high school and college will again have the opportunity to watch this very gifted athlete", continue Stein.

Training camp for the Greyhounds begins March 8, 2007. The Greyhounds 9th season opens Saturday March 24, 2006 with a Home Opener with the Lexington Horsemen at 7:00 pm in WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, WV.

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 go 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 to 5:00 and may be reached by calling (304) 232-1918 for additional information.

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