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Tory Harrison: Lake standout thrives, December 21, 2007

Ex-Leesburg star Tory Harrison contributes to Southern Miss as a rusher and returner.

December 21, 2007|By Joe Williams, Sentinel Staff Writer
The images of the GMAC Bowl last year in Mobile, Ala., still dance in Tory Harrison's head.
First, Harrison broke free on a 43-yard touchdown run for the first of three second-quarter touchdowns by Southern Miss, starting the Golden Eagles on their way to a 28-7 victory against Ohio.

Harrison, a backup tailback to Damion Fletcher, was the leading rusher for Southern Miss with 68 yards on nine carries.

"That was definitely one of the highlights of my season last year," Harrison said by phone after Tuesday afternoon's practice in Hattiesburg, Miss. "The bowl game, and I really think my game against Memphis [when he rushed for a career-best 138 yards on 12 carries], were the two games that stand out."

Harrison, 20, the former star running back at Leesburg and a sophomore for Southern Miss, only can hope for a similar effort Saturday afternoon when the Golden Eagles (7-5) take on Cincinnati (9-3) in the Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Ala.

Harrison, who was ranked among the top 100 high school recruits in the state (78th overall) by the Orlando Sentinel in 2005, signed with Southern Miss following a senior season that included rushing for 1,869 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns.


Coincidentally, Cincinnati was one of the finalists for Harrison before he signed with the Golden Eagles. Despite the fact that the Bearcats were in the running for Harrison until the end, he has no thoughts of wanting to prove anything to Cincinnati.

"All I know about Cincinnati is that they are a pretty good team," said Harrison, who is majoring in marketing and carrying a 2.3 grade-point average. "I know they have been ranked in the Top 25 [currently 20th]. My thoughts on playing them is that I just want to play hard."

Harrison is second on the team in rushing, starting two games, with 386 yards on 93 carries. He leads the team in kick returns with 37 returns for 846 yards -- a 22.9 yards per return average. He also is second on the team in all-purpose yards with 1,274.

While the majority of snaps in the offensive backfield has gone to Fletcher, who has rushed for 1,431 yards and scored 15 touchdowns, Harrison said he is trying to take advantage of the playing time that he gets -- whether it is as a tailback or in the kicking game.

"I want to be used more, to get more opportunities, you know," Harrison said. "I think by using me as a kick returner this year, it has given the coach more time to get me on the field and to use me as well as Damion. I have really enjoyed being a kick returner this year, and I think I have had a pretty good year returning kicks.

"Obviously, I want to make big plays every week. It would be great to make a couple of big plays in the bowl game and hopefully end the season on a good note."

The game will have special meaning for Harrison and the rest of his teammates.

It will be Coach Jeff Bower's last game for Southern Miss. A former quarterback at Southern Miss, Bower has been associated with the Golden Eagles for 29 years -- the last 17 as its coach (119-82-1). Bower is being replaced by Larry Fedora, the former offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, for next season.

Listen live on my790am or www.my790am.com Saturday April 21 2012. 
Former Leesburg High School Tory Harrison (University of Southern Mississippi, and Hartford Colonels UFL, Omaha Beef IFL) standout makes his first appearance on the Lake County Sports Show April 21, 2012.

Tory Harrison, Leesburg High School senior linebacker Jordan Tucker, Florida State University and NFL player Greg Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and, Wayne Hamilton (former Leesburg High School, University of Alabama, San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Football Standout) will be the featured guests along with the show host Billy Matthews (The Voice Of The Leesburg Yellow Jackets), Sonny Bronson (Belton Bail Bonds Scoreboard Show Host), Allison Crawford (Belton Bail Bonds Scoreboard Show Co-host) and Gerald Lacey (Carver Heights Quarterback Club Staff Writer).

Here is a short list of some of Harrison's accomplishments:

-2012 Omaha Beef (Indoor Football League)

-2007 University of Southern Mississippi Signee

-Varsity Basketball Letters 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

-Varsity Football Letters 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006


Gerald Lacey (Carver Heights Quarterback Club Staff Writer), Allison Crawford (Belton Bail Bonds Scoreboard Show Co-host), Sonny Bronson (Belton Bail Bonds Scoreboard Show Host),  Lake County Sports Show Host Billy Matthews (The Voice Of The Leesburg Yellow Jackets).
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Tory Harrison On The Lake County Sports Show

Former Leesburg High School Standout #11 Tory Harrison at the University of Southern Mississippi.
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