When Lions Were Kings IV

  Borah vs. Klamath Falls, Homecoming 1968

Entering Borah and going to the first pep assembly was impressive in September – or was it late August? – of 1966..  I didn’t think anything could be as loud as the Borah gym was that day.  Measuring decibels at rock concerts was not spoken of in those days, at least that I can remember, but my ears were hurting.    I remember guys on the team just staring at each other, half smiling in amazement.

After that, it became the norm.  We weren’t in awe anymore.

In late summer of 1967, the Borah Lions, with a few of us fortunate juniors, traveled to Sandpoint for our opening game.  The score was 34 to 0 before the “Junior” offense was given a chance.  With just a couple of minutes to go in the game, we had the ball near mid-field.  Craig Estell ran for about 5 yards on first down.  On second down, Don Minter took the ball into the Sandpoint secondary, faked out a Bulldog defender (as we would have described it back then ‘the poor guy’s jock was hangin on the goalpost’) and ran for a touchdown.  We only played 2 plays, but we scored a touchdown.  When the game ended and we were running off the field, I felt like I could have jumped up on the goalpost and grabbed that guy's, well, I think you get the picture.  Only two plays and we had scored a touchdown in a varsity foot ball game for the Borah Lions.  It was a natural high.

The Borah machine, the “Green Wave” was a remarkable force in Idaho high school sports.  Yet, the tradition was strong and it was expected.  What was awesome and extraordinary became ordinary. 

But there was one player’s abilities that could inspire awe in me.  His number was 24, and he was the same guy who scored that touchdown against Sandpoint.  Don Minter.  The Borah teams for the three years we had together at Borah were impressive.  Twenty-nine wins in thirty outings.  Numerous players made all-city, all-conference and all-state.  Many went on to play in college and at least two had tryouts with the NFL.  But Don could do something that nobody else could.  He could suddenly change from whatever gear he was in to high speed.  There were a few times when what looked like a sure tackle by a defender turned out to be the poor guy just grabbing air.

Homecoming 1968 was Don’s greatest effort.  We played Klamath Falls, Oregon, a team ranked in the top 5 of in that state.  While most teams in Idaho would set their defenses to stop Minter, apparently K. Falls didn’t think it was necessary.  It was not a good idea.  Don scored three touchdowns and rushed for over 200 yards in that game.  There were Pelican feathers left scattered all over the field, the result of failing to chase him down.

The Idaho Statesman sports writers were impressed.  They named him player of the week.  Notice the coaches in the background

Lots of good memories.  I miss you, old friend.