The State Runner-Up 1999 Mineral Point Football Team was inducted into the Mineral Point High School Gridiron Hall of Fame during the game vs. Darlington October 11, 2019.
The group of people honored represent the ideals of the Mineral Point Football Program: hard work, perseverance, toughness, relentless effort, and teamwork.
Sitting at 2-4 in the middle of the season, the 1999 Pointers rattled off seven wins in a row to claim a berth in the WIAA State Finals. Aided by their stifling defense, the Pointers gave up an average of four points per game in that seven game span, including three shutouts. Anchored by All-State Lineman, and 2008 Hall of Fame Inductee, Joel Miller, along with All-Conference Linebacker Chris Federman and Cornerback Travis Tennessen, the Pointers shut down several high scoring offenses during the late season surge. In the Level 4 State Semifinals, it was the offense that gave the Pointer faithful a much needed boost. Late in the fourth quarter, trailing 6-0 to the De Soto Pirates, on fourth and seven, Quarterback Chase Ivey connected with Tight End Zach Vogel for an electric 71-yard touchdown to tie the game. Jake Hanson kicked the go-ahead extra point that proved to be the difference sending the Pointers to their first State Championship appearance in school history. This also marked the last season Ron Murphy led the Pointers, ending his run of 31 years as head football coach, capping a Hall of Fame career with a state title appearance.
We are proud to announce the 1999 Team:
Players: Brent Berning, Jeremy Bigler, Peter Dannenberg, D.J. Dolphin, Jared Engelke, Chris Federman, Kyle Fitzsimmons, Justin Goldthorpe, Kirk Gribble, Max Gundlach, Jake Hanson, Wade Harker, Kevin Heins (captain), Matt Heins, Chase Ivey, Jason James, Dan Kendall, Ian Lindsey, Owen Martin, Adam May, Bret McGraw (captain), Joel Miller (captain), Matt Mullen, Jamie Palzkill, Justin Persinger, Justin Potterton, Mike Potterton, Dean Sayre, Bobby Schmitz, Travis Tennessen, Luke Tredinnick, Tyler Vogel, Zach Vogel, and Brandon Wilson.
Cheerleaders: Abbi Ewert, Erin Fenley, Ashley Hanson, Heather Kjelland, and Alyssa Morey. (Coach Sue Gevelinger)
Managers: Danny Carey, Curtis Fiedler, Ted Galle, Matt McKinley, and Tanner Terrill.
Coaches: Ron Murphy (head), Del Carey, Mike James, Dave McKinley, Pat Murphy, Floyd Spoor, and Tom Steger.
1999 Season
Regular Season
Wauzeka: won 43-0
River Valley: lost 8-47
Boscobel: won 14-0
Darlington: lost 12-13
Fennimore: lost 7-17
Dodgeville: lost 7-14
Iowa-Grant: won 21-14
Southwestern: won 14-0
Riverdale: won 16-7
Level 1 Playoff
Randolph: won 25-0
Level 2 Playoff
Williams Bay: won 15-6
Level 3 Playoff
Black Hawk: won 13-0
Level 4 Playoff
De Soto: won 7-6
State Championship
Owen-Withee: lost 6-54