The Program: Coach Hinkel still has the skill

IOWA CITY - Ed Hinkel caught passes for the University of Iowa about a decade ago, and now he calls pass plays for Iowa City Regina's football team.

He serves as the team's offensive coordinator, and has been a fixture on head coach Marv Cook's staff, during the Regals' 49-game win streak that has included a Class 1A state title after two straight 2A crowns.

A Regina defender talked smack during Homecoming week, insinuating he could cover the 31-year-old assistant, who needs a little more time to get loose these days. Now, this is a high school kid telling a former honorable mention all-Big Ten wideout and 2005 preseason all-America selection that he couldn't get open. With some coaxing and trust in a less durable hamstring Hinkel displayed his skills during practice before Regina's Week 8 game against Wapello.

Watch it here.

The "challenge" occurred during the team's defensive workout. Hinkel sent reserve quarterback Nate Stenger to retrieve his cleats, which looked like he might have worn them in the Hula Bowl his senior season as a Hawkeye. He was decked out in black and gold, including a Hawkeye sweatshirt.

Former Hawkeye defensive lineman and Regals' defensive coordinator Jason Dumont threw down the gauntlet to his defense once Hinkel readied to line up in the slot.

"He's a smack talking guy from Pennsylvania," Dumont said. "Don't put up with his crap."

Hinkel requested Cook to throw to him instead of Cook's son, Drew, who is Regina's starting QB. It seemed like a bad idea when Cook made two less-than-accurate throw on a cold day with a strong wind. Hinkel opened with a solid move and was open in the seam, but Cook's pass was too far in front. Cook led him to far on a flag route that nearly spun the defender around when he made his cut.

Regina's Payton Raso was Hinkel's first victim, giving up a completion on a come back route thrown from Drew Cook, who replaced his dad.

Hinkel then caught one across the middle.

"No one else would catch that," an onlooker said.

Dumont called for junior Michael Adam to cover Hinkel.

"What?" Adam responded.

Hinkel ran an out pattern, making an easy catch, before taking a breather.

"It feels good," said Hinkel, whose had his hands on his head while taking deep breaths. "I need to do that."

Confidence doesn't lack when he talks to the Regals. An exchange with Drew Cook demonstrated a little cockiness from the old receiver, who had 1,588 receiving yards and 15 TDs for Iowa. Hinkel sounded like Keyshawn Johnson.

Drew Cook said, "I didn't think you'd catch that dig."

"Come on, man," Hinkel replied.

Jake Brinkman covered Hinkel twice. Coincidentally, Brinkman was the defensive player that got a reaction out of Hinkel a couple weeks earlier. Brinkman did a good job on coverage.

Hinkel took one spill, doing a somersault after one catch attempt. He finally got a catchable ball across the middle.

Two morals of this story:

1) Be careful what you wish for.

2) Hinkel still has skill.