Mankato West vs. Bemidji, Class 3A semi-final game at the Metrodome on 11/18/11. (left to right) Mankato West's Kade Wasinger pressured as Bemidji's Mitchell Hendricks looked to pass.
Following a seven-year stint, Troy Hendricks gave up his post as athletic director and head football coach at Bemidji High School six years ago to start his own John Deere business.
Six months into the on-field hiatus, he realized he had made a mistake.
Time to close up shop, right? Not so fast.
"Whether you're in business or on the field you want to do things the right way," Hendricks said. "You can't just switch it on and off. There is a pride factor. You want to make something out of it."
After three years, Hendricks felt comfortable enough to sell. And he was fortunate enough to get his old jobs back.
He's since led the Lumberjacks to three consecutive section championships. Friday's 45-26 drubbing of Mankato West in the Class 4A semifinals put Bemidji into its first Prep Bowl.
All with his son Mitch as the starting quarterback and another, James, as the backup.
"This is a better arena for me," Troy Hendricks said with tears in his eyes, and then looked up at the Metrodome lid. "And this -- this is fantastic."
Mitch, a senior three-year starter, said there was no doubt his dad would return to coaching.
"Oh, he was so ready," Mitch said. "It's all he talked about. We've been looking forward to playing for a state championship since he came back."
Little lucky charm
An awe-struck fan from Edgerton/Ellsworth took one look around the near-empty, cavernous Dome before Friday's 8 a.m. Nine-man kickoff and uttered, "Holy moly!"
Not every first-timer stadium visitor acted as impressed.
A few rows down, 3-week-old Ruby Peterson was fast asleep. Friday was her first football game, and she "watched" uncle Andrew Fleischman coach the Flying Dutchmen to a 48-20 victory and a spot in their first Prep Bowl.
Parents Erick and Jackie Peterson of Waverly said they will be back for the championship game, bright and early the morning after Thanksgiving.
"We have to," Dad said. "She's their good luck charm."
Two-sport sideliner
That was Hopkins girls' basketball coach Brian Cosgriff working the chain gang crew Friday morning. Cosgriff has assisted in state games at the Dome before, but this season he was offered a chance to work four Gophers games at TCF Bank Stadium.
"Parking pass, free meal, your own locker, apparel," Cosgriff beamed.
However, he had to decline because of a torn left Achilles' tendon suffered playing pick-up basketball in August.
By his hand or foot, ball had nose for goal line
Mahnomen quarterback Jacob Pavek had a brilliant first half against Sleepy Eye St. Mary in the Class 1A semifinals, rushing 13 times for 124 yards and three touchdowns. He then sent the second-half kickoff dangerously close to going out of bounds, but it hugged the white paint down to the Knights 2-yard line.
"It's what I was trying to do," Pavek said convincingly. "It was our time."
"Depressing, but a great year." -- Mankato West receiver Hunter Friesen, on the Scarlets finishing 11-1 with a loss in the Class 4A semifinals.