(From Minnetonka Football - The First Half Century by Miles Jon Cohen)
| 1960's |
Another difficult season in terms of our won/loss record hit the Skippers in the fall of 1960. The season opened on a low note with the team losing a hard fought game to Wayzata, 13-20 in front of a large optimistic and high spirited crowd. This was a tough loss to the Trojans because Tonka sort of owned them historically going into the game. Since 1952 Tonka only lost once to its cross-lake rival and had won the prior five games in a row!
The journey to Fairmont won us the "Corn Trophy" 21-7. Next was a huge Homecoming win over neighboring Hopkins 20-13. Fitting the homecoming motto which was "Tip the Canoe and the Warriors too." This team fought hard every game and had some outstanding individual players.
The yearbook made an excellent point of all the unsung heroes year in and year out that make Tonka football work. All the managers and trainers and cheerleaders and band members as well. They tape the players, repair the equipment, help the injured, cheer and play for every team we field at Tonka and they deserve mentioning.
| 1961 |
Football during 1961 had a lot of ups and downs. The Skippers started out like a house on fire winning their first three games including our first win ever over Robbinsdale, the 14th rated pre-season team in the state, 19-13!
For the season, Tonka finished 5 wins and 4 losses. It was one our smaller squads, as far as physical size was concerned, in the conference but very large in heart! The O-line averaged only 190 pounds but relied on quickness and conditioning to beat the heavier opposing lines. A good group of Juniors and Sophomores should buoy the team next year.
As Tonka entered the decade of the sixties, the roster stayed around 44 varsity players.
| 1962 |
Minnetonka's football team was coached by anew staff again this year. Mr. Raymond Simonson came to Tonka after coaching at Jefferson High in Denver for 14 year. He became the 5th head coach a the new high school. He was assisted by Coach Morseth after a one year leave of absence and Coach Bill Diedrick a recent St. Olaf College graduate.
The gridders fought through a rather thankless season. Once again injuries and illness took their toll. Tough year at 1-8 but lots of fan support and team effort.
| 1963 |
Well another head coach, Walt West, took over the reigns this season. He was the 6th head coach in the past twelve years. This is not conductive to establishing a consistent winning program for a new high school. However, Walt's credentials were very impressive having been an all-state player in Wisconsin and going on to play briefly for the Green Bay Packers after college. Walt was about to change the perception of a revolving door and would through his stability and dynamic personality go on to become a legend and fixture at Minnetonka. His first season would not prove to be easy as our numbers of "A" squad players dropped under 40.
The gridders fought hard all year but finished in 7th place in the conference with a record of 2 wins and 6 losses.
| 1964 |
Many players stood out for the Blue and White during the year.
| 1965 |
Walt West commended this team as one of Tonka's best despite the 5-4 won/loss record. "We finally got accepted in this league this year after there were rumors Tonka couldn't compete".
Despite a valiant effort against Robbinsdale at the homecoming game, Minnetonka lost 0-20. Coach West said "if we would have played the whole season like this game, where we ran for almost 300 yards and outgained the Robins, we would have taken the conference title". Robbinsdale sent 25 busloads of kids to our homecoming game trying to rattle us and needless to say it was "standing room only"!
| 1966 |
Coach West, never at a loss for quotes, commented, "We predicted a 5-3 season at the beginning of the year and lost it in two minutes against Richfield". "We played with the big ones for the first time. We didn't beat them but we played with them", Coach Wes said in his season sum-up.
| 1967 |
We went out of state for the first time against Superior Wisconsin where Coach West played college ball, losing 0-14. Two big wins were registered over Mound and Wayzata by a combined 60-6 margin.
| 1968 |
The varsity football team ended with a successful 5-3-1 season. "We played well during the first half of the Edina game but then began to feel unsure of ourselves during the second half, losing 0-42 in the final game of the year," commented Coach West. Besides the Hornets we lost to St. Louis Park Orioles 7-47 our worst loss ever to those guys and again to Robbinsdale 0-20. West classified the whole squad as "fighters".
This team was marked by a fighting spirit and unity in achieving their winning record. The Juniors and Seniors played as one team all year rather than two separate classes.
| 1969 |
The squad's attendance and devotion under these extenuating circumstances was remarkable, according to both coaches and fans. The first game was almost cancelled; two games were played on a water-logged field with drizzling rain from start to finish. The team was under-sized and lacked depth. Despite all these obstacles and set-backs, Tonka fought hard.
Coach West said "offensively the team moved the ball real well and Jerry Peterson had outstanding breakaway ability." "A great group of boys to coach!" Our record of 4-5 was not a true indication of the football talent of this group.
Summing up the year, the yearbook writer said "Team's ability exceeds their standings." This team was special and shows how football really reflects life in that if we can pull together, we can overcome adversity and carry on with pride.
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