Who has been the best Highlands running back ever? For me it has to be Justin Frisk.

I've only seen Highlands play since the mid 80's but since then it's a no brainer for Justin Frisk.

Frisk for sure but I would also like to see Mike Lawson's name on that list. :sssh: Dude is 65 yrs old and still throws up 300lb bench at the gym with his arms in wraps. LOL

 

Some very good Running backs on that list though. Bankemper would probably be 2nd for me but I never saw him play, only read and heard about him.

What about Hank Pogue? He was a great one.

 

Perhaps some HHS fans can write little blurbs describing each of the listed players.

JMO, but the way the game has changed over the years, it might be better to break down the RB's by generations/years. Best prior to 1980? Best in the 80's? Best in the 90's? etc...

I don't know if he was the best, but Rick Hoffman (who was mentioned in the poll) was really good. I think he played college ball at the University of Indiana. He, along with Tim Racke (who I don't remember being mentioned in the quarterback thread), were a formidable backfield. Racke went on to play at Purdue (I think as a defensive back).

I had the misfortune of playing against Frisk in both HS and college. He was fast and very shifty. You had no containment help from your corners bc he could accurately throw the ball 45 yards plus both right and left handed. I wonder how many option pass TDs he threw? His game against Leslie County in Couch's last game was historic.

I had the misfortune of playing against Frisk in both HS and college. He was fast and very shifty. You had no containment help from your corners bc he could accurately throw the ball 45 yards plus both right and left handed. I wonder how many option pass TDs he threw? His game against Leslie County in Couch's last game was historic.

 

And very powerful. He could run around you or over you. He had that rare combination of speed and power.

 

I played in an all-star baseball game with him our 8th grade year, and he hit the furthest home run I had ever seen at that age out at Boone County Complex. He had that natural strength (not saying he didn't work hard in the weight room during high school, but he just had that makeup that it was easy for him to gain muscle).

Frisk, period. I see Jaylen Hayes being the next Frisk-like player. Frisk was Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmit Smith, Jim Brown, and Eric Dickerson rolled into one!

Frisk, period. I see Jaylen Hayes being the next Frisk-like player. Frisk was Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmit Smith, Jim Brown, and Eric Dickerson rolled into one!

 

You are smoking the drapes BigBird.

 

Hayes could barely sniff the field in the last few games you are calling the next coming of Justin Frisk?

 

He will be very special but nowhere near as good as Frisk.

Frisco was a an absolute freak the day he made the short drive from Park Hills to Ft. Thomas, LOL

Bankemper is my all time favorite Ft Thomas guy because I shared a few victories with him during the day.

JB had the power, speed and quickness. I think his size probably kept him out of D1. JB ran a 4.4 forty at a workout for Georgia Tech coaches with a blown out gym shoe.

I think his size kept him out of the big time but not his speed or play, guy was special at Highlands.

 

Geez, with his sister married to Collinsworth one would think he could have gotten a new pair of shoes or something for that workout...

Frisk, period. I see Jaylen Hayes being the next Frisk-like player. Frisk was Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmit Smith, Jim Brown, and Eric Dickerson rolled into one!

 

I like watching Jaylen run. I really like Jaylen playing defense. But have to agree with Q, not even close. And that's not a slam on Jaylen. Justin was a physical beast. Whenever he touch the ball, you really thought it was going to the house. It was scary. He was scary. Scary good. Best ever? Don't know since I don't remember before late 70's, but him and Johnny Bankemper are top 3 for sure. Maybe top 2.

Frisco was a an absolute freak the day he made the short drive from Park Hills to Ft. Thomas, LOL

Bankemper is my all time favorite Ft Thomas guy because I shared a few victories with him during the day.

JB had the power, speed and quickness. I think his size probably kept him out of D1. JB ran a 4.4 forty at a workout for Georgia Tech coaches with a blown out gym shoe.

I think his size kept him out of the big time but not his speed or play, guy was special at Highlands.

 

Geez, with his sister married to Collinsworth one would think he could have gotten a new pair of shoes or something for that workout...

 

Nah, back then they would have been some Chuck Taylor UK high tops.

 

Wait, maybe there were.

If Frisk was so good, why wasn't he D1 and why couldn't he go to the next level like other Highlands greats? And I do not mean to ask this question in a disparaging way.....

If Frisk was so good' date=' why wasn't he D1 and why couldn't he go to the next level like other Highlands greats? And I do not mean to ask this question in a disparaging way.....[/quote']

 

Academics weren't his thing but man he was the best running back ever!