By Tracy Campbell

Lion Jake Chapman provided the program for our Lions Club meeting on Thursday. Lion Jake spoke about the history of Minden High School football and, in particular, his observations while researching over 100 years of newspaper clippings for the football stats books that he and Mark Chreene co-authored. Lion Jake said that newspaper coverage of early Minden games was often non-existent, or choppy at best.

There were often no real statistics, only the mention of game wins and scoring plays. Through online resources as well as dozens of research visits to the Webster Parish Library in Minden, Lion Jake and Mark were able to compile two volumes of the most complete Minden High School football statistics in existence.

Lion Jake offered some interesting facts about the Crimson Tide program, including the history of the team name, the earliest recorded Minden football game in 1909, and a recap of the Tide’s state championships and record holders. Lion Jake and Mark will provide a similar program on Oct. 9 when they will speak at the Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum’s “Night at the Museum” event.

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