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Late slump doesn't diminish season for Bloomington Jefferson's Ubben

By Star Tribune, 10/21/14, 7:02PM CDT

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A quarterback since the fourth grade, Zach Ubben rarely has experienced the type of success he and his Bloomington Jefferson football teammates have been a party to this season.


Zach Ubben, Bloomington Jefferson football

A quarterback since the fourth grade, Zach Ubben rarely has experienced the type of success he and his Bloomington Jefferson football teammates have been a party to this season.

Moving out of the brutal South Suburban Conference and into a better fit in the new Metro West, the Jaguars — just two years removed from a winless season — won their first four games and finished the regular season 5-3.

They were rewarded with the top seed in Section 3 of Class 5A, earning a first-round bye. The team will play either Apple Valley or Minneapolis Washburn in the section semifinals Saturday.

“This has been the most fun season I’ve had playing any sport,” said Ubben, a 6-4, 210-pound senior. “It’s been great just being around these guys. And winning helps.”

 

Q: How different has this season been compared to past seasons?

A: It was a lot different in the past. I didn’t take football as seriously as I do now. I didn’t appreciate it like I do now. Success is a part of that.

 

Q: The team has gone from winless in 2012 to a top seed in the section playoffs in two years. Could you see this coming?

A: I could after last year. I knew we had talent coming back, and we played pretty good. It really helps to switch conferences and not have to play teams like Rosemount and the Lakevilles.

 

Q: When did it become apparent to you that this year could be special?

A: I think that first game when we beat St. Lous Park by a large margin. To go out and play the way we did told me we could be successful.

 

Q: What, in your mind, has been the most significant victory this season

A: I think beating Cooper [17-14 in overtime] was a big game. We were coming off our first loss to Chaska, and we needed to bounce back. We started slow, but we came out in the second half and made the plays we needed to make, and we were fortunate enough to win.

 

Q: Have you noticed more interest in the team now?

A: Right away. After our first game, I was out fundraising for the team and I would get comments about how we won. It’s been nice that it’s carried throughout the season.

 

Q: You started 4-0 but the schedule got much harder in the second half of the season, and the team lost to Chaska, Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Chanhassen. What effect will that have on the team in the playoffs?

A: I think we’ll use it as motivation. They were good teams, and we probably didn’t play our 100 percent best. I don’t like to look at the season as the first four games and the last four games. I see it as a whole and if you told me coming into the season that we would be 5-3, I would have said that would be pretty nice.

 

Q: Do you play any other sports?

A: I play basketball and baseball.

 

Q: Favorite?

A: Right now, I’d say football. But if you asked me in the winter, I’d probably say basketball. In the spring, I’d say baseball.

 

Q: What to do you do with your downtime?

A: It’s pretty much sports, sports, sports. They consume a big part of my life.

 

Q: Are you a Vikings’ fan?

A: Yes.

 

Q: What do you think their problem is?

A: Of course, the Adrian Peterson thing hurts. It’s been interesting watching Teddy Bridgewater, but he hasn’t had great success. He just needs some exposure to the game.

 

Q: How about the Gophers?

A: I’m an Iowa fan. My dad went to Iowa, so I root for them.

Jim Paulsen

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