Football: Prairie Ridge’s Nick Nissen smart on, off the field

Updated: November 23, 2011 6:18PM

Nick Nissen has taken reading to a new level at Prairie Ridge.

The senior quarterback, who has a 4.3 GPA and 31 ACT score, doesn’t just have smarts in the classroom, but on the football field as well.

“He is the poster boy for a high school football player,” Prairie Ridge coach Chris Schremp said. “He is as smart as they come and great kid to go with that.”

Nissen has mastered the Wolves’ double-wing offense as he leads a Prairie Ridge team that is averaging over 42 points and 389 yards a game into Saturday’s 6A championship vs. Richwoods (10-3). Nissen is hoping that the Wolves can take advantage of a Richwoods’ defense that has allowed 27 points per game.

“I have always been a quarterback,” said Nissen, a 6-2, 198-pounder. “It was difficult to adjust to this offense at first to find the right reads. But it has become almost second nature to me now.”

Nissen has been the main catalyst, leading the Wolves (12-1) in rushing with 20 touchdown runs while gaining 785 yards. He has also completed 50 of 99 passes for 1,177 yards and 14 touchdowns.

“Nick goes up to the line of scrimmage with a couple different plays we can run,” Schremp said. “When the play starts, you can still see he is thinking. That is why we have been so successful this year.”

Nissen hopes to attend Northwestern or Notre Dame and study medicine. One thing is certain; he won’t have trouble with all the reading.

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