Riskey Business

Greenville senior plays 11 positions
October 27, 2010

By David Claybourn
Herald-Banner Sports Editor

If it appears that No. 7 is all over the field for the Greenville Lions in their football games this season that's because he is.

Senior Michael "Mikey" Riskey has played 11 different positions on offense, defense and special teams.

He's been a quarterback, running back and wide receiver on offense and a linebacker, cornerback and safety on defense. He's kicked off and punted on special teams, plus has returned punts and kickoffs. If all that's not enough, Riskey is also the holder on conversion kicks.

"That's it," said Riskey with a smile.

Greenville's head coach Chawn Cooper said he wished he had more players like Riskey.

"He's great," said Cooper. "He's a true warrior. Injury or no injuries he's ready to go every day."

"If you had 11 of him it'd be a lot easier," said Cooper.

Riskey has hung tough in what has been one of the Lions' roughest seasons of all time. They remain winless at 0-8 and have been outscored by an average margin of 48-7. The Lions have scored only eight touchdowns this season but Riskey scored one of them on a 1-yard run.

Riskey is 12-of-33 passing for 94 yards as a quarterback and has rushed for 35 yards on 34 carries, including quarterback sacks. He's also averaging 30.6 yards on 25 punts.

The Lions started the season with more than 40 players but due to defections and injuries got down as low as 23 players.

"At one point he was one of the seniors," said Cooper. "Now he's the senior."

Riskey was the only senior healthy enough to practice on Tuesday. The Lions began the season with 17 seniors.

"He's a soldier," said assistant coach George Sellers. "He's the type of kid who's going to be successful in life. As a dad that's the kind of kid you want. There's no quit in him."

Riskey didn't give up after eight of his teammates, including seven starters, left the program during the bye week after choosing not to run extra as punishment for missing a practice.

"In my opinion they gave up on us," he said. "They betrayed us. I'm the last senior standing."

Riskey's had to step into positions that would have been manned by someone else ordinarily but he said it's been fun as a learning experience.

"He's easy to coach," said Cooper. "He really understands the game. His football IQ is real high."

What's Riskey's favorite of the 11 positions?

"Safety," he said.

Because he likes to hit ball carriers?

"Oh, yeah," said the 5-8, 150-pounder.

What hasn't been fun for Riskey and the other remaining players are the losses.

"It's been real tough," he said. "It's very depressing but you've got to keep your head up and keep on going."

Riskey finds motivation in serving as an example for the underclassmen.

"I don't want their season next year or after that to be like this one," he said.

RIskey's not only a football players but plays outfield for the baseball team and for the last four years has been a race car driver. He drives a 1985 Monte Carlo in the Hot Stock class. He's won two races this season at the Grayson County Speedway though his racing career is on hold until the football season ends in two weeks.

Riskey said he likes both racing and football equally when asked to name a favorite sport.

With all of his responsibilities, Riskey doesn't get much rest during the football games and rarely comes off the field. He said he's "real tired" by the end of the game.

"I'm usually the last one out of the locker room," he said.

Riskey will be appearing in his final home game on Friday night against Denison, which is also 0-8.

"A victory after all we've been through would be amazing," he said.