The new Cardinal cut

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Hayes Center head coach Scott Jorgensen shouldn't be too hard to spot in Lincoln next Monday.

First of all, he will be one of only 12 head coaches of Nebraska high school football teams still in action in the state playoff championship games. If he doffs his hat, the new hair style will be a dead giveaway.

Coach be careful what you say to your players...

Jorgensen's Hayes Center Cardinals will face Humphrey St. Francis in the Class D-2 (eight-man) state championship finals Monday at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Jorgensen might be the only head coach of the 12 involved in state title games next week to be wearing a mohawk under his hat.

Several Hayes Center players came to school a few weeks ago with new hair styles.

"There was a few of them that showed up at school the day before the Spalding game, they showed up with mohawks," Jorgensen said. "I walked through the door in the morning and looked at them and I just shook my head. I was like, 'Your helmets hide it, I guess I really don't care.' I gave them some guff about it, and they answered, 'Oh yeah, when you getting yours, Coach?' I said, 'You know what, if we make it to Lincoln, I'll get one,' OK, all right. Here we are."

Those kids don't forget, coach. Jorgensen said his players held him to his word, and they were determined to put him in the chair.

Give the coach credit. He could have ducked out the side of the Hayes Center field last Monday when the Cards beat Pleasanton 14-0 in the D-2 playoff semifinals. Jorgensen finished the rounds of media interviews with several newspapers and radio stations covering Tuesday's game. He then happily sat down outside the concession stand/press box beside the Cardinals football field and let junior Edgar Rodriguez apply clippers to his scalp.

Mr. Rodriguez was an intent barber as he skillfully worked the electric razor across his coach's head, leaving the long mane of hair in a stripe atop Jorgensen's head to identify the mohawk cut. Edgar looked like he truly enjoyed the task at hand.

"He enjoyed every minute of it," Coach said.

The Hayes Center coach was wearing a huge grin while Rodriguez administered the haircut last Monday.

"It was definitely worth it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat," Jorgensen said.

Good luck to the Hayes Center squad, and coach, be careful what promises you make to your team on the trip to Lincoln Sunday.

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