Stallworth, Harrell Celebrate A Homecoming

January 10, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Stockton Lightning News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Lightning of the arenafootball2 league are scheduled to be assigned WR/DB Chris Stallworth and OL/DL Clay Harrell by the af2 league office (pending league approval), Lightning head coach Doug Murray announced today.

Stallworth and Harrell were introduced to the media and fans earlier today at a press conference held at Stockton's Valley Brew Family Restaurant.

"Chris and Clay were among the crop of the most highly and sought-after free agents this offseason and we feel blessed they chose Stockton," said Murray. "They're both quality people, and have an extraordinary amount of leadership and professionalism that will be brought to the franchise. In addition, they bring strong ties to the community as it relates to sport and family. Their experience makes them a welcome addition to our team because of the amount of experience they have at a high level within this league."

SACRAMENTO NATIVE STALLWORTH BRINGS NFL TIES TO THE LIGHTNING

Stallworth was an integral part of the Spokane Shock ArenaCup championship team during his professional rookie season in 2006, appearing in nine games while making 30 catches for 339 yards and six touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound receiver put up a season best 10 catches for 118 receiving yards (leading the team in both categories) and two touchdowns in a 66-62 win at Amarillo on April 22.

The Sacramento, Calif. native attended local Grant High School where he received varsity letters in football, track and baseball and aided the Pacers to a 12-2 football season as a senior. Stallworth parlayed his high school accomplishments into a respectable four-year college football career (2000-03) at Utah State University, appearing in 41 total games for the Aggies while tallying 113 receptions for 1,387 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns.

Stallworth saved his 2003 senior season for his best, posting 37 catches for 483 yards and four touchdown receptions. Among his accomplishments was hauling in a headline-making "Hail Mary" touchdown reception against New Mexico in 2002 to force overtime. His cousin Donte is currently a wide receiver in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, and has a younger cousin, Jevon, who is a highly-touted senior defensive back at Grant High School.

"Just the fact that when Coach Murray invited my wife and me into Stockton it made a really big impression on me," said Stallworth. "I credit (quarterback) Derrick Crudup for selling me on the benefits of coming to Stockton, which really appealed to me combined with the fact that my hometown of Sacramento is really close. After seeing game film on this team, I can't wait for us to get the season going."

WEST SACRAMENTO NATIVE CLAY HARRELL COMES HOME

Harrell returns to his local Northern California roots after spending his 2006 arenafootball2 rookie season with the Everett Hawks, where he garnered All-af2 second-team honors with his exploits on both sides of the ball. The 6-foot-2, 305-pound lineman appeared in 13 games for the Hawks, blocking along the offensive line for acclaimed quarterback Brian Baker who finished in a handful of the af2's top-10 passing categories.

Additionally, Harrell posted 12.5 tackles, six tackles for loss, and led the Hawks with seven sacks during the season. The West Sacramento, Calif. native tied for a team-high during the season with two sacks against the Lightning on June 17 and Bakersfield on July 8. Recently, Harrell participated in official offseason workouts with the Arena Football League's Nashville Kats.

Harrell started his college football career at local Rocklin Sierra College (Calif.), earning All-Conference honors as a sophomore before completing his college career at Northern State University (S.D.). Harrell earned NSIC All-Conference honors as a 2003 senior and was voted Offensive Lineman of the Week five times.

Harrell's high school football career included two all-league selections while at West Sacramento River City High, where he also played basketball.

"I'm looking forward to playing close to home and family for the first time in five years," said Harrell. "I feel great about the repoire that Coach Murray and I have already; his integrity and direction of this football team made the best impression on me as a free agent this off-season."

Stockton opens the 2007 af2 season on Saturday, March 31 with a road matchup against the defending ArenaCup Champion Spokane Shock, beginning at 5:00 p.m. PT. The Lightning finished their inaugural 2006 arenafootball2 in fourth place in the National Conference's West Division and recently hired Doug Murray as the second Head Coach in team history.

In their first season, the Lightning ranked third in af2 attendance with an average of 7,445 fans per home game. Season tickets for the 2007 Lightning regular season are on sale now. For more information on season tickets, merchandise, or other information, please call the Lightning at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonlightning.com.



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