Dubuque Miners Football

Dubuque Miners Football The Dubuque Miners are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit developmental football program based in Dubuque, Iowa and a proud member of the Mid-West United Football League.

Built by the Community. Held to the Gold Standard. Dubuque Always.

⚜️🏈⚒️🏈⚜️

One more look back at an incredible night celebrating the 2026 Dubuque Miners season!Friday night gave us the opportunit...
09/13/2026

One more look back at an incredible night celebrating the 2026 Dubuque Miners season!

Friday night gave us the opportunity to come together one final time as a team, recognize everything that was accomplished this season, and celebrate the players, coaches, staff and families who helped make 2026 such a memorable year for this organization.

A special congratulations again to all of our 2026 award winners. Every one of those honors were earned. These awards recognized players who consistently showed up, competed, led, sacrificed, improved and made an impact on the people around them. Whether it was through performance on the field, leadership in the locker room, toughness, work ethic or commitment to the team, each winner gave us something worth recognizing.

To every player who heard their name called Friday night, be proud of it. Those awards represent more than one game or one moment. They represent an entire season of work and the respect you earned from the coaches, teammates and organization around you. Congratulations to each and every one of you on a tremendous accomplishment!

And while we celebrated our award recipients, we’re equally proud of every player who wore a Miners uniform this season and contributed to what this group accomplished together.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us Friday night and to all of the people behind the scenes who helped make the banquet possible.

Team Photographer Krystal Kelly captured an incredible collection of photos throughout the evening and shared here in this post. And there are plenty more where these came from!

Team Videographer Dan Brosnan was also there documenting the night, and we’ll have video coming soon!

Thank you again to our players, coaches, staff, families, supporters and everyone who played a part in the 2026 season. It was a hell of a year, and Friday night was a fitting way to celebrate it!

Thank you to our wonderful partners at the Best Western of Dubuque for all that you do for this organization and allow us to have these great moments together as a team in such an incredible space!

Congratulations again to every one of our award winners. You earned your moment.

Thank you Miners Nation!

🏆 2026 DUBUQUE MINERS MAN OF THE YEAR — #69 NICK KELLY 🏆Friday night we closed out our 2026 Awards Banquet by presentin...
09/12/2026

🏆 2026 DUBUQUE MINERS MAN OF THE YEAR — #69 NICK KELLY 🏆

Friday night we closed out our 2026 Awards Banquet by presenting the highest individual honor in our organization.

The Dubuque Miners Man of the Year Award is about far more than what happens between the lines.

It recognizes the man who best represents what we want a Dubuque Miner to be. Someone who carries himself to the Gold Standard, leads by example, holds himself and those around him accountable to the highest level, and represents this organization with extreme pride.

(GOLD) GRIT • OWNERSHIP • LEADERSHIP • DETERMINATION

For 2026, that man is Captain #69 Nick Kelly.

Nick has been a steady presence within this organization since day one and someone his teammates can depend on. Whether it is doing his job on the field, stepping up as a captain, or setting the example for the men around him, Nick represents what wearing DUBUQUE across your chest is supposed to mean.

And when we talk about Nick’s impact on this organization, it is impossible not to mention his family.

His wife, Krystal, is one of our game day photographers, helping capture the moments that tell the story of this team. Their daughter, Dixie, better known around here as “Weapon X”, can be found on the sidelines at games and practices, right there with the team.

Any benefit, community event, team activity, practice, game day, or anything else this organization is involved in, you can almost guarantee Nick and his family will be there.

That matters.

Because being a Miner has never just been about showing up on Saturdays. It is about buying into the organization, supporting the community, supporting your teammates, and giving your time to something bigger than yourself. Nick and his family have done that from day one.

His work this season also earned him 1st Team All-MWUF honors on the offensive line, but this award goes beyond accolades and statistics. It is about character. Commitment. Leadership. Family. And the way you represent the Dubuque Miners when nobody is keeping score.

Nick Kelly is exactly what we want this award to represent for years to come.

Congratulations to the inaugural Dubuque Miners Man of the Year, #69 Nick Kelly.

You earned this one Cap!⛏️

2026 DUBUQUE MINERS MAN OF THE YEAR
#69 NICK KELLY

Built by the Community. Held to the Gold Standard. Dubuque Always.

🏆 THE FIRST ANNUAL GOLD STANDARD AWARDS — ROUND TWO 🏆We continue recognizing the award recipients from Friday night’s Du...
09/12/2026

🏆 THE FIRST ANNUAL GOLD STANDARD AWARDS — ROUND TWO 🏆

We continue recognizing the award recipients from Friday night’s Dubuque Miners Team Awards Banquet, celebrating the players who stood out through their effort, growth, impact, leadership, and commitment throughout the 2026 season.

GOLD STANDARD HUSTLE AWARD — #11 Eli
36 Tackles • 1 Sack

The Gold Standard Hustle Award recognizes relentless effort, toughness, work ethic, and the willingness to do the little things that help the team succeed. It honors a player who consistently brings energy, competes every play, and represents the standard through action.

2026 MOST IMPROVED — #25 James Puetz
10 Tackles

The Most Improved Award recognizes a player who demonstrated exceptional growth throughout the season through hard work, perseverance, coachability, and a continued commitment to becoming a better player and teammate.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR — #13 Jacob Michael
19 Tackles • 1 Sack • 4 INT • 1 TD

The Newcomer of the Year Award recognizes a first-year Miner who made an immediate impact through performance, commitment, and the ability to quickly embrace the expectations and culture of Dubuque Miners Football.

COACHES CHOICE AWARD

#10 Sam Jaeger
#23 CJ Dean
#42 Lance Morgan
#99 Jake Miner

Selected directly by our coaching staff, the Coaches Choice Award recognizes players who consistently exemplify the Gold Standard through effort, leadership, dependability, coachability, and an unselfish commitment to the team.

Congratulations to Eli, James, Jacob, Sam, CJ, Lance, and Jake on earning their place among the 2026 Gold Standard Award recipients.

But there is still one more award to announce.

The final award from Friday night is the biggest individual honor presented by the Dubuque Miners Organization recognizing the player who best represents what it means to be a Miner through character, leadership, service, commitment, and the way he carries himself both on and off the field.

🏆 The 2026 Dubuque Miners Man of the Year is next.

Stay tuned Miners Nation! ⛏️

🏆 THE FIRST ANNUAL GOLD STANDARD AWARDS 🏆Last night, we came together for the Dubuque Miners Team Awards Banquet to cele...
09/12/2026

🏆 THE FIRST ANNUAL GOLD STANDARD AWARDS 🏆

Last night, we came together for the Dubuque Miners Team Awards Banquet to celebrate the players, coaches, staff, and families who helped make the 2026 season such a memorable one

We’re proud to recognize the first three recipients of the Gold Standard Awards:

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR — #26 Davyn Braker
502 rushing yards • 6 rushing TDs • 5 receptions • 25 receiving yards

Davyn was a steady force in our backfield all season, bringing toughness, physicality, and production every time his number was called. Davyn also earned 2026 MWUF All League Honors

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR — #54 Gabe Hilby
40 tackles • 7 sacks • 1 forced fumble • 1 fumble recovery • 5 interceptions • 1 safety

Gabe made an impact all over the field and consistently found ways to change games for our defense throughout the season. Gabe also earned 2026 MWUF All League Honors

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR — #7 Kentarion Johnson

Kentarion’s effort, consistency, and impact on special teams earned him this year’s honor and helped set the standard in one of the most important phases of the game. Kentarion “Red” also received 2026 MWUF All League Honors

Congratulations to Davyn, Gabe, and Kentarion on earning three of the top individual honors from our 2026 season!

And we’re just getting started!!

More recipients from the First Annual Gold Standard Awards will be announced throughout the weekend, including several more of our biggest team honors from the 2026 season

Stay tuned Miners Nation!!

🚨 MINERS NATION MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 🚨Next Saturday we’re taking over the Dubuque Yardarm & Marina, September 19 from 1–...
09/12/2026

🚨 MINERS NATION MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 🚨

Next Saturday we’re taking over the Dubuque Yardarm & Marina, September 19 from 1–5 PM for an afternoon of food, drinks, music, games, prizes, and Miners football!!

From 1–5 PM, 15% of ALL sales will benefit the Dubuque Miners!

We’ll have:

* 🎶 Live music from 4 on the Floor
* 🎟️ 50/50 drawings
* 🎁 Raffle prizes
* 🐎 The Horse Game
* 🎯 Bean Bags
* ⛏️ A chance to meet some of the Dubuque Miners

Come grab some food and drinks, enjoy the music, hang out by the river, and help support the continued growth of Dubuque Miners Football!

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, events like this help us continue investing in our program, our players, and our work throughout the Dubuque community.

📍 Dubuque Yardarm & Marina
📅 Saturday, September 19
⏰ 1:00–5:00 PM

Bring the family. Bring some friends. Come have a good time with Miners Nation!

Built by the Community. Held to the Gold Standard. Dubuque Always. ⛏️

We will not forget
09/11/2026

We will not forget

THE GOLD STANDARD ⛏️This Friday evening, we come together to celebrate the men who made the 2026 season one to rememberT...
09/07/2026

THE GOLD STANDARD ⛏️

This Friday evening, we come together to celebrate the men who made the 2026 season one to remember

The Dubuque Miners are proud to present our 1st Annual Gold Standard Awards Banquet, an evening dedicated to recognizing our players, coaches, and staff and celebrating the hard work, sacrifice, and commitment that went into an incredible Year Two!

We’ll look back on the 2026 season, relive some of our favorite moments, recognize this year’s award winners, and close the night by introducing a new tradition within our organization

For the first time, one Miner will be named the Dubuque Miners Man of the Year. Our highest individual honor recognizing the player who best represents what it means to be a Dubuque Miner through G.O.L.D. (Grit • Ownership • Leadership • Determination)

Friday night, the first name will be written into that tradition

📅 Friday, September 11
⏰ 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Best Western Plus Dubuque Ballroom

Cocktail Hour begins at 6:00 PM, with speakers beginning at 6:30 PM followed by season highlights, awards, and more.

PLEASE NOTE: The Gold Standard Awards Banquet is a closed event, reserved exclusively for Dubuque Miners players, coaches, staff, and their families. We look forward to sharing highlights and this year’s award recipients with all of Miners Nation following the event

We’d also like to extend a special thank you to Best Western Plus Dubuque for their continued support of the Dubuque Miners and for providing us with the space to bring our players, coaches, staff, and families together for this special evening. Their continued partnership with our organization means a great deal to us, and we’re grateful to have them as part of Miners Nation!

One final night to come together and celebrate everything that was 2026

Built by the Community
Held to the Gold Standard
Dubuque Always ⛏️

Happy Labor Day from the Dubuque Miners!Today, we recognize the hard working men and women who help build, serve, and st...
09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day from the Dubuque Miners!

Today, we recognize the hard working men and women who help build, serve, and strengthen our community every single day

The Dubuque Miners were built on that same mentality. Hard work, sacrifice, pride, and people willing to put in the work for something bigger than themselves.

To our players, coaches, volunteers, sponsors, partners, supporters, and everyone across the Dubuque and Tri-State community: thank you for everything you do!

Enjoy the day, Miners Nation!

Built by the Community
Held to the Gold Standard
Dubuque Always

🏈 JOIN THE DUBUQUE MINERS COACHING STAFFAs we begin building toward the 2027 season, the Dubuque Miners are looking to a...
09/05/2026

🏈 JOIN THE DUBUQUE MINERS COACHING STAFF

As we begin building toward the 2027 season, the Dubuque Miners are looking to add dedicated, knowledgeable, and motivated coaches to our staff.

We’re looking for individuals who want to do more than just coach football. We want people who are committed to developing players, building a strong team culture, and helping continue the growth of the Miners organization.

Whether you have years of coaching experience or you’re looking for an opportunity to take the next step in your coaching career, we’d like to hear from you.

⛏️ Multiple coaching opportunities available
⛏️ Offensive, defensive & positional coaching roles
⛏️ Be part of a growing, competitive football program
⛏️ Help us build toward an even stronger 2027 season

If you’re interested in joining the staff, send us a message or apply below:

🔗 https://www.dbqminers.com/coaching

BUILD THE STANDARD.
PICK UP THE AXE.

Miners Nation, the 2027 season starts NOW!The Dubuque Miners are officially recruiting for the 2027 season and looking ...
09/04/2026

Miners Nation, the 2027 season starts NOW!

The Dubuque Miners are officially recruiting for the 2027 season and looking for athletes ready to compete, work, and be part of something special we’re continuing to build here in Dubuque and the Tri-State area.

All positions are open. Players must be 18+.

If you’re ready to pick up your axe and see what Miners football is all about, fill out the interest form below and we’ll be in touch.

🔗 https://www.dbqminers.com/recruiting

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Dubuque, IA
52001

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+15635436763

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