Early Life
Born in Missoula, Montana, Friesz grew up in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and attended Coeur d'Alene High School, graduating in 1985. He was a year behind Scott Wellman, a two-time all-state quarterback who led the Vikings to the A-1 state finals in 1982 and 1983, winning the first. Friesz spent those seasons as a back-up and became the starter in his senior season in the fall of 1984. His first game was against perennial state power Borah in Boise, who had beaten the Vikings 27-23 at Coeur d'Alene in 1983. The #2-ranked CDA Vikings returned the favor and beat the Lions 19-14 on the then-green AstroTurf of Bronco Stadium. Friesz completed 21 of 40 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns in his starting debut. The Vikings took over the top spot in the state poll and beat Rogers of Spokane 46-0 the following week. They won their first ten games, but lost in the state semifinals 25-20 to Capital, who also had handed them their last loss, at the finals in 1983. The game was played at a neutral site, the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Friesz's future home field. He finished the season with over 1,900 yards passing and 19 touchdowns in eleven games.
He enrolled at the University of Idaho, recruited by head coach Dennis Erickson,. after attending the coach's Vandal football camp in the summer of 1984.
Read more about this topic: John Friesz
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