Kevin McKenzie’s legs were an issue for Catawba College football coach David Bennett.

And that’s why Kevin McKenzie will be playing tailback for Catawba Saturday when the two teams hook up in Shuford Stadium in the first round of the Division IInational playoffs.

“It’s kind of funny,” McKenzie said. “Coach Bennett had called me and told me, ‘We want you bad. You need to come up here.’ “

Bennett had also offered a scholarship. But before McKenzie accepted, he had another visit to make — to Fort Valley, Ga.

And that’s where this hair thing comes into play.

“The coach offered me a scholarship on the spot,” McKenzie remembered. “But he wanted me to cut my hair because I was a newcomer. I said, ‘Let me talk to coach Bennett’ and he was like, `We don’t care.’ ”

That scholarship offer from Fort Valley was turned down flat, despite the fact it would be easier to get in. McKenzie says he needed two Ds in summer school to get into Fort Valley and two Cs to get into Catawba.

“I got a B and C and came to Catawba,” he said.

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While hair means something to a guy like McKenzie, whose flowing, braided locks set him apart from practically everyone on the Catawba campus, it is secondary to Bennett.

The coach proved it when he walked into his press conference at Western Steer Tuesday. Let’s just say Bennett didn’t have to worry about combing the bangs out of his eyes.

His mane had been buzzed shortly after the 24-7 win over Lenior-Rhyne Saturday. He had promised the team it could buzz his top if it made the national playoffs.

The newly-cropped look may have given him a new nickname. You’ve heard of Buzz Peterson, Buzz Aldrin and Buzz Lightyear?

How about Buzz Bennett?

“A deal’s a deal,” shrugged Bennett. “I ain’t goin’ back on my word. Courtney Boler did it right after the game.”

Bennett explained that his potential hair loss began during a cookout back in the summer. He mentioned that if the team won the South Atlantic Conference title, his head could be shaved.

Then, came a loss to eventual champ Carson-Newman.

“One of the guys said, ‘Well, I guess we can’t shave your head.’ And I said, ‘Oh yes you can, if we run the table and finish 10-1.”’

So when Bennett arrived at the press conference, he mirrored two of the three players in attendance. Defensive back Alvis James and offensive lineman Brian Hinson already have shaved heads.

“I think he needs to cut a little more off the top like mine,” James said, rubbing his chrome dome.

“It’s pretty cool,” added McKenzie, the only one present with hair. “But he needs a little more off the top.”

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The players weren’t quite as successful with the hair of the assistant coaches.

“I told them they can get the whole staff,” Bennett said, “and the coaches’ eyes got huge. A lot of them care about their hair more than I do.”

Bennett even went into detail why the assistants balked:

• “Coach (Jim) Tomsula uses that Pert Plus everyday.
• “Coach (Jamie)Snider’s eyes got as big as silver dollars. He’s a newlywed and he doesn’t want his wife to leave him with a big ol’ bald head.
• “Coach (Richard)Kent is a single guy so he’s gotta be careful too. He can’t walk around with a bald head.”
• And then, there’s linebacker coach Curtis Walker, who already shaves his head bald.

“He said if we make it to Florence, Alabama, they could shave his mustache and his eyebrows,” said Bennett. “Boy, I’d love to see that.”

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Of course Buzz would love to see that. A trip to Florence would mean his team would be in the national finals.

On national TV.

“It’s now a four-game season,” Bennett said. “And I don’t think our guys are ready to finish.”

Bennett went to his office Monday to find 49 phone messages awaiting him.

“Everybody wants to climb on now,” he said. “Well, I say come on aboard. And stay for a while.”

Bennett was starting to feel it. He was full of his boisterous self. He was getting louder as the interviews continued. Other diners in Western Steer even began turning around

Buzz Bennett was holding court.

“Football is the greatest team sport,” he said in a low roar. “What other sport do you have 100 people involved in? We’re just so happy to bring some excitement to Rowan County.”

He was then asked about respect, something he has crowed for since early in the season.

“When we get respect and recognition is when we’re playing on ESPN for the national championship,” he said.

Then, every football fan in the country could see Buzz Bennett and his hairless staff — and Curtis Walker with no eyebrows.

And who wouldn’t love to see that?

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