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Garrison, Harbaugh...The Buster Connection/Sometimes a school has athletic tradition totally on its own, and sometimes there’s an added twist, (iarden City Community College currently boasts two players who havethe “family connection.”Marty Garrison is a nose gurad for the Broncbuster defense, and Kent Harbaugh is an offensive tackle for the BustersGarrison’s a graduate of Stanton County High School in Johnson, and is the last in a long line of family members to attend Garden City Community College His father, Jim, played defensive end here in 1953, before entering the Air Force His mother, Charlene, also attended school at GCCC.Jim Garrison is now the sheriff of Stanton County, and is a graduate of Wichita State. No. he didn't play football atwsu.“I had four kids by the time I got there, he said.Three of those four have plaved football at Garden City.Brother Gil played corral and defensive back for the Broncbusters before going on to get his degree in criminal justice from Wichita State. He’s currently a first lieutenant in the Marine Corps, a helicopter pilotRusty was a nose guard under George Walstad. He went on lo play at BakerUniversity, where he won allconference honors. Rusty will get his teaching degree in January.Another brother, Greg, attended GCCC, but did not play football. He went on to Goodland Vo-Tech, and is working as a plumber.Marty says there was no family pressure for him to play football at Garden City, and dad Jim concurs.“I said to him, ‘You’re playing in a different bracket now. You may get cut. Because you're small, you’ll have to play hard and show them you have guts.’”“‘Your mother and 1 only ask that you do your best — vou don't have to be a footballGarrison said.The Garden City coaching staff is high on Garrison, at 5-10, 195. one of the smallest nose guards in any major program.‘ His main strength is his quickness, said defensive line coach John Carter. “Most down linemen don't have a chance to read offensive sets, but when the team comes to the line. Marty reads them He knows what plays can be run from a particular formation. He has to knwo so he can prepare because of his size.Carter also cited Garrison’s play against New Mexico Military in the Broncbusters' 25 18 win.Garrison faced theI**-•M'j*Garrison: from Johnson Harbaugh: from SallnaBroncos All-America center Greg Taylor, who told him following the game that he was the best nose guard he’d faced all season.“It's not whether I make the tackle,” Garrison said. “It's whether I clog the hole. Really, it’s harder to play against somebody bigger, but sometimes it’s an advantage because I’m quicker.”“I’m not intimidated by anybody’s size.As for Harbaugh. a graduate of Salina South, he’s following in the footsteps of two older brothers who played here. Jim played for Walstad before transferring to Utah State, where he was an offensive tackle.Rich was a standout guard for Moe Cotter, before transferring to the University ofNorthern Colorado.Kent says his brothers influenced him to attend Garden City, but there were other factors like the schedule, tough competition, and the coaching staff.“Coach Cotter recruited me, and man, coach Blackburn is something else — a good teacher.”“I’m glad I came to junior college first. I had a lot to learn and this was a good place to learn it. The coaching staff has time to work with you on a smaller squad.”Harbaugh, at 6-3, 240, plans to play at a major four-yearschool. The coaches think he’sa prospect.“I would say he’s much more committed this year than last year,” Blackburn said. “He's played hurt a lot of the year, but has been offensive lineman of the week twice ”“I feel I’ve improved quite a bit from last year,” Harbaugh said. “Last year I was in doubt. This year I have a lot more confidence.”There was a lot of emphasis on football in Harbaugh’s family. Dad Harry played at Fort Hays State. His mother, Deloise, must be tolerant:“We played sandlot ball everynight in the backyard, my brothers and the neighborhood kids. My brother Larry played at Bethany in the ‘60s.”“My dad’s the smallest in the family (6-2. 210), but he’s still in shape. He’s still too much to handle ”With all that emphasis on football, Harbaugh is still a B-plus student. Like Garrison, he's undecided on a career, but both are exemplary young men who are willing to pay the price for football success — with the family connection in mind.
Newspaper Details
Garden City Telegram
Garden City, Kansas, US
Thu, Nov 16, 1978
Page 110
Full Page
Clipped by
Desiree G.
FL, USA 30 Nov 2019
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Garden City Telegram
