FRIENDSHIP HAS A KICK TO IT AINSWORTH, FOLK ARE RIVALS WHO SHARE A COMMON BOND.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

Jesse Ainsworth used to join Nick Folk at Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks to practice once a week with former UCLA kicker Chris Sailer.

They would learn technique, then break off into competitions to see who could kick the longest or make the most consecutive field goals. Sometimes Sailer would join in to keep them humble.

``We still do that when we get together,'' Sailer said. ``I tried to challenge them in every possible way. They both won their share of battles.''

In college, it has been the same way. Ainsworth and Folk, Sailer's first pupils, will face off again as rivals Friday, with Folk (Notre Dame High) kicking for Arizona and Ainsworth (Thousand Oaks High) for Arizona State.

With help from Ainsworth and Folk, Sailer has gone on to become the foremost kicking instructor in the nation. Prospects from around the country come to work with him at his camps.

Ainsworth and Folk became his first two teaching assistants, and have helped other area kickers evolve. Working with them at the camps has helped Kai Forbath from Notre Dame get a scholarship to UCLA and J.T. Wright from Agoura commit to Wisconsin.

``The whole Chris Sailer kicking has grown a lot,'' Ainsworth said. ``I always enjoy coming out for the kicking camps and giving back. I think he's doing a great thing for kickers across the country.''

Ainsworth and Folk are a lot alike.

Both have longed for more field goal attempts this season. Folk has made five of eight attempts with a long of 51 yards. Ainsworth has converted six of eight, adding a perfect 48 of 48 on extra-point attempts.

Each has a powerful leg that might catch the eye of NFL scouts. Folk has kicked 34 of 47 kickoffs deep in the end zone for touchbacks. Ainsworth has kicked for touchbacks on 39 of 65 kickoffs, including one bomb against USC that impressively went over the end zone and into the stands, preventing a Reggie Bush return.

Neither kicker is puny. Ainsworth is 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds. Folk is 6-2 and 206 pounds. Without molding from Sailer, they might have ended up playing other positions.

Ainsworth was a multitalented athlete who excelled at linebacker and tight end in high school.

``I might have tried to focus on another position for college if Chris didn't help me learn to be a kicker,'' Ainsworth said. ``Whenever I have the chance to make a tackle on special teams, I like to bring it a little bit to show I haven't become too much of a kicker.''

Folk began playing soccer at age 5. His father, Tony, coached his AYSO team growing up. His brother, Greg, plays soccer for UCLA.

Realizing that football is more popular in the United States, Folk decided to give the sport a try his freshman year of high school. Another soccer player at Notre Dame was the varsity kicker at the time, and Folk thought he could do the same.

His father mentioned that he had the size and strength to play other positions, but Folk wanted to stick with kicking.

Folk also was a top soccer player and had scholarship offers in that sport. However, most soccer scholarships are only for partial tuition. He decided to give up his first love and stick with football.

``I had the chance to take the financial burden off my parents with a full scholarship to a good academic university,'' Folk said. ``Football is a more visible sport, and I thought one that presented a better chance at future earnings. It was the toughest decision I've ever made, but I think I made the right one.''

Sailer, a Notre Dame High graduate, started working with Folk because they went to the same high school. Ainsworth heard about Sailer from his club soccer coach. Ainsworth and Folk actually first met as opponents on the soccer field in club ball, then Ainsworth ended up going to Notre Dame beginning his sophomore year to take part in the instruction Sailer was giving to Folk.

This will be the third year they have started against each other for their teams, having split the first two games. Last year, they both made 2 of 3 field-goal attempts in Arizona's upset victory. One of Folk's kicks was a career-best 53 yards.

Regardless of the outcome of this game, Ainsworth and Folk will be pals again in January when they serve as instructors for Sailer's camp in Las Vegas.

``I'd like to see him do well because we're friends,'' Ainsworth said of Folk. ``We won't be trying to outdo each other out there or anything, but of course I want to help my team win.''

Matthew Kredell, [phone]

matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com

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2 photos

Photo:

(1) FOLK

(2) AINSWORTH