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“Up, that’s what I like. I hate that word down,” sang Molly Brown in the Broadway musical by the same name. Gardner football coach Jerry Roberts is humming right along with her as the 1971 grid season rapidly approaches. After a disappointing 3-5 record two years ago and an even worse 2-5 year in 1970, Roberts says things are looking up for the Trailblazers. “If we don’t run into injury problems, we’re going to do OK,”” he predicts as Gardner travels to Wellsville tonight to kick off the season. ‘‘We’re going to do better.’ Roberts said injuries weren’t a main concern in 1970. ‘‘We just had some other problems that I don’ think we’ll have this year.” Depth—or the lack of it—could be a worry for GHL. Roberts is only practicing about 25 players right now, but says he will suit up 33 including sophomores to go against the Eagles. Many of them will be young players. “We're shallow all over. There’s a lack of numbers, but consequently, the guys we do have are in better condition and should be able to play better than last year’s team,’’ Roberts commented. Playing in the Pioneer League, the ’Blazers put together a 1-4 mark against loop opponents last year. In looking at last year’s record, Roberts said his squad defeated both Louisburg (34-18) and Lansing (20-6). But Wellsville claimed a 14-6 win on opening night to begin the mediocre campaign for GHS. Osawatomie took a 26-14 decision the next week, and after battling Tonganoxie to a scoreless tie for most of the game, Tongy finally scored with 1:47 for the 8-0 win. GARDNER Last Year’s Results (2-5) Wellsville 14, Gardner 6 Osawatomie 26, Gardner 14 Gardner 34, Louisburg 18 Tonganoxie 8, Gardner 0 Gardner 20, Lansing 6 Paola 24, Gardner 0 De Soto 19, Gardner 6 Paola trimmed Gardner, 24-0, and De Soto grabbed off a 19-6 win. Roberts has 13 returning lettermen back. Of that number, nine of them saw a lot of varsity action last year. That’s why he’s counting on an improved season. Gardner started grid drills with 12 seniors, 13 juniors and 12 sophomores. But with injuries and dropouts, the ranks have thinned some since Aug. 19. “We've lost in the sophomore group,” Roberts said. Here’s how the Gardner coach sees his probable starting lineup tonight: OFFENSE Center—J.R. Larrick, a junior, or Gary Hoch, a senior. Guards—Mike Hammel, a junior, and Rick Kessler, a senior. Tackles—Rick Thompson, a senior, and Pat Kershner, a junior. Ends—Twin brothers Larry Bryan, a senior, and Terry Bryan, also a senior. Quarterback—Gary Sharp, 178 pound senior, or Jim Herman, 150-pound junior. Fullback—Marvin Wilson, 165- pound junior. Halfbacks—Luther Watson, 140-pound senior, and either John Stevens, senior, or Paul Grahovac, a junior on defense. Roberts says many of his starting offensive unit will go both ways. He says the two Bryan brothers will play defensive ends, and GARDNER 1971 Schedule Sept. 10, at Wellsville. Sept. 17, Osawatomie, home. Sept. 24, Piper, home. Oct. 1, Tonganoxie, home (homecoming) Oct. 8, Open date. Oct. 15, at Lansing. Oct. 22, at Paola. Oct. 29, at De Soto. Kershner and Thompson will start at tackles. Middle guard will probably be Wilson, with Ralph Page, a sophomore, and Paul Grahovac, if he is well, holding down two of the linebacker slots. The other linebacker will be Kessler. Deep backs will be Herman, Watson and Stevens. ‘‘We won’t be able to do a lot of platooning, but I think the boys will be physically ready—much better than in the past,’’ Roberts said. He said lack of size may be another problem for the Blazers. ‘*My largest boy is 185 pounds,” Roberts said. ‘“‘Our big boys average between 160 and 185, so you can readily see that we have a small team. But they’re wiry. Our quickness will be much improved over last year, especially in the backfield. I think in the line, also. We don’t have any 9-flat men, or anything. In fact, our backs don’t run nearly that fast, but quickness is what we have to count on. “Our strength is an improved passing game,” Roberts said. ‘“‘Probably Sharp throws a little better than Herman, but on the other hand, Herman probably handles the ball a little bit better We’re counting on a much better passing game. At least it will be improved enough to help our running game a great deal,” Roberts said. The Gardner coach said many opponents played nine-man lines against the ’Blazers last year, and ‘‘we just couldn’t loosen them. Maybe we'll be able to run outside this year with quicker guards and faster backs,’’ he said. What the future holds won’t be known for a few more weeks. Gardner players are anxious to take the field, however Roberts sums up the squad's hopes when he said: ‘“These early games will be real important. If we can win and get some confidence built up, we should be all right. We don’t have much depth or size, but we’ve had some big guys in the past and we didn’t win. I think we can win. We'll just have to see.”
Newspaper Details
Olathe Daily News
Olathe, Kansas, US
Fri, Sep 10, 1971
Page 25
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USA 30 Jan 2026
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