Joel Miller (2008) - Hall of Fame - Mineral Point High School

Hall of Fame

Joel Miller

Class

2000
Induction

2008
Sport(s)

Football, Football Hall of Fame

Defensive End - Offensive Tackle: 1997-1999

Anytime and every time Joel Miller's name was brought up in the presence of his former coach Ron Murphy, Murph responded, “The best lineman I ever coached."

Joel started at Offensive Tackle and Defensive End his sophomore, junior, and senior years. His presence on defense was so dominating that he controlled half the line of scrimmage, and was always double-teamed. His statistics suffered because many teams simply choose to run away from him. Joel also participated in Baseball and Wrestling, earning a trip to state his senior year.

Joel was the foundation of the dominating defense that carried Mineral Point to the Division Six State Finals in his senior season, 1999. They played eleven of their fourteen games on the road that season, and thus Joel was the captain and leader of the "Road Warriors." Joel accepted every responsibility the coaches gave him as the games on the way to state got tougher. Those duties included contain responsibility, option responsibility, and pass coverage on defense, as well as moving into the backfield to play tailback in goal line situations. During the 1999 season, the Pointers won nine games, and five were donuts, or shutouts. Along the way, Joel recorded 139 tackles, including 19 for loss, four passes defensed, and two fumbles recovered. He rushed 17 times for 43 yards and three touchdowns. In a playoff game against Blackhawk at Verona, Joel made one of the most memorable defensive plays in Mineral Point history. From their own 40 yard line, Blackhawk ran option to Joel's side. Joel planted the quarterback, but not before he pitched the ball. Joel got up and chased the running back down from behind, tackling him at the fifteen yard line. Both players Joel tackled left the game for a few plays, and despite gaining 45 yards, Blackhawk never ran option again. Two plays later they fumbled and Mineral Point preserved the shutout. Full-tilt, 24-7, every down. His teammates and classmates that nominated him stated that more than his talent, it was his commitment to the team that made him the leader. "He led by example, approaching each play as if it was the most important of the game."

As a junior, Joel was voted to the SWAL II All-Conference Team as an offensive tackle and as a defensive end. In his senior year, he was honored the same way, making Joel one of Mineral Point's few four-time first team All-Conference Players. Following his senior season, his teammates voted him Most Valuable Lineman for both Offense and Defense. Joel received an honorable mention to the 1999 Coaches All-State team as well as honorable mention from the Milwaukee Journal, both for his efforts at Defensive End. Conversely, the Dubuque Telegraph Herald honored Joel as a first team All-Area Offensive Tackle. The Dodgeville Chronicle named Joel the 1999 player of the year, honoring him with first team honors on both sides of the ball. Finally, Joel was named to the Wisconsin State Journal Small Schools All Area Team as both an Offensive Tackle and as a Defensive End.
Three Year Letter Winner: 1997, 1998, & 1999