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Season Preview: Ohio Valley Greyhounds

March 16, 2007 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF) News Release


Last year it was new ownership. This year it's a new coach for the Ohio Valley Greyhounds. Lou Stein purchased the Hounds at the very end of 2005 to keep the team in Wheeling, WV. Stein is no longer a rookie owner and Head Coach Ervin Bryson is anything but a rookie. Stein introduced Bryson at a news conference in early January ending a nearly two-month search. "He has a great passion and love for the game of indoor football and that was very important to me," Stein was quoted in the Wheeling News Register.

The Greyhounds make for Bryson's sixth coaching role under the roof, giving Stein what he wanted-extensive experience. Perhaps it was fate. When Bryson was head coach in another league in 2002, his team played in Wheeling. "I can remember leaving the building that night and thinking that I'd like to coach here someday," he said in the same News Register story. Bryson will also spend time assisting in the operations of Ohio Valley.

Bryson looks to return Ohio Valley to its glory days of national championships and looks to do so with potent passing and a grind-it-out ground game he feels confident can put a lot of points on the board. The Hounds will be led by Martins Ferry, OH native Freddy Ray at quarterback. Ray had a stellar career at Martins Ferry High School and Ohio University before getting a couple of years of indoor QB experience. His targets include returning receivers Willie Austin and Darrell Dowery. "We are expecting the passing game to pick up right where Matt Kohn and the Hound passing attack left off in the 2006 season," Bryson said. "Freddy's speed, quick release, his ability to scramble and the talented wide receiving corps we are assembling will continue to give us a potent passing attack." Bryson adds Ray needed only a couple of days to grasp the offense.

A return to the running game is a main focus for Bryson this season. To accomplish that, he has what he feels are three quality running backs: Western Kentucky's Keith Brooks, 5'11, 225 lbs; Charles Pearson, 5'11, 225 lbs; Nick Romain, 6'1, 250 lbs. With an affection for the Greyhounds history, Bryson says this about the running backs, "We are pleased with the talent we are bringing in to re-establish the ground game that the Hounds have been famous for in the past. We know how important a dominant running attack is to open up the passing game, wear down your opponents and control the tempo of the game..." Bryson feels the team could potentially put up 70-80 points a game.

Defensively, Bryson expects up front pressure by Appalachian State's Leon Moore, 6'3, 265 lbs. Defensive back Durrell Preston started for Bryson last season in another league and hauled in six interceptions.

Home Greyhound games at WesBanco Arena this season will be preceded by either high school or college lacrosse games. Greyhound ticket holders may take in the lacrosse game free of charge. Lacrosse matches take place from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fans may then watch both UIF teams warm-up prior to the 7:05 p.m. kickoffs.

Ohio Valley opens the regular season at home, Saturday, March 24 against their conference rival the Lexington Horsemen.

Audio preview: http://unitedindoorfootball.com.ismmedia.com/ISM2//MultimediaManager/1936.mp3

Saturday's preview: Sioux City Bandits.



United Indoor Football Association Stories from March 16, 2007


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.


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