Sunday, December 12, 1999
NORTHERN KENTUCKY INSIDER
Frisk gives football 1 more shot
BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Justin Frisk is home now. Wherever he goes in Fort Thomas, he fields the inevitable questions.
You're not playing football? You're not still in school?
Frisk, the Enquirer's 1996 Player of the Year, has seen his career stall. Subpar grades originally kept the running back from signing with a Division I school, and an ankle injury last year derailed a promising stint at Mesa (Ariz.) Community College.
Speaking last Saturday in Louisville, as he watched Highlands win another state championship, he stopped to shake hands with Highlands grads Derek Smith and Jared Lorenzen, who both now play for Kentucky.
“I watch on Saturdays. I see Derek out there,” Frisk said. “I'm proud of him. He's living out my dream.
“If I was a little smarter in high school ...”
His voice trails off. Then he catches himself.
“That's what happens. But I have no regrets. I had an excellent high school career.”
Frisk, 20, isn't giving up yet. He has called coaches at Georgetown College and says he'll go there next year to play if he's wanted.
“I made it clear that's where I want to be,” he said. “I've been working out every day, staying positive. But if it doesn't work out there, I'm done with football.”
Frisk rushed for 1,932 yards and 35 touchdowns in 1996, leading Highlands to a 15-0 season. But that was the tail end of a turbulent high school career in which he struggled with grades and discipline.
He went to Mesa and became a starter in 1997, his sophomore year. He looked strong the first three games, rushing for 209 yards (4.9 per carry) and three TDs and catching nine passes for 49 yards.
Then he hurt his ankle, ending his season. He could have redshirted and played there this fall, but he left Mesa in June.
“It was time to come home,” he said. “I spent my two years there.”
Frisk got his associate's degree from Mesa, completing the final course requirement this summer at Northern Kentucky University. He has helped out at his father's copier business.
“I've tried to find out what I really want to do,” Frisk said. “If I don't go to Georgetown, I'll still further my education, probably at Cincinnati State.”
Football future or not, Frisk insists he is thankful for life lessons.
“The negatives, I've learned from,” he said. “We all grow up at some point. I'm glad I grew up in high school.”
LOCALS IN TITLE GAME: Nine Northern Kentuckians are members of Georgetown's football team, which has reached the NAIA national championship game. The top-ranked Tigers (13-0) play No.2 Northwestern Oklahoma State (12-0) for the title at 1 p.m. Saturday in Savannah, Tenn.
Georgetown's star is sophomore quarterback Eddie Eviston (Newport Central Catholic), a top candidate for the NAIA Player of the Year award to be announced Friday.
He ranks second nationally in total offense (330.2 yards per game). His 4,293 total yards and 3,539 passing yards are single-season school records. His 32 passing TDs are one shy of the school record. He has 754 rushing yards with 16 TDs, which is tied for the school's single-season rushing TD total.
Other locals:
• Sophomore linebacker Nathan Lindeman (Highlands) is tied for the team lead with 30 tackles for loss, and has 120 total tackles with four forced fumbles.
• Junior linebacker Stephen Lickert (Highlands) has 104 total tackles.
• Redshirt freshman defensive back Will Stinson (Highlands) became a starter two weeks ago and earned Defensive Player of the Game honors with an interception in a playoff victory over Taylor (Ind.).
• Senior fullback Ashley Moser (Beechwood) has 240 rushing yards (7.3 per carry) and four TDs (7.3 per carry).
• Senior Chad Kinsella (Beechwood) is a backup offensive lineman for a team leading the nation in total offense (597.6 yards per game).
• Sophomore Dan Woolley (Beechwood), a backup nose guard, has three sacks and two fumble recoveries.
• Junior tailback Jason Skirvin (Dayton) rushed for 367 yards (7.3 avg.) and three TDs in six games before suffering season-ending broken ribs.
• Mike Schneider (Highlands), a sophomore defensive back, has not played.
CLASSIFIEDS: Beechwood has openings for two softball coaches. If interested, call Athletic Director Bob Burnett at 331-1220.
• Scott has an opening for a boys soccer coach. If interested, call Athletic Director Jeff McCarthy at 356-5519.
Neil Schmidt is The Enquirer's Northern Kentucky sports reporter. Call him at 578-5582 or send e-mail to nschmidt@enquirer.com.
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