Monroe’s Greatest Quarterbacks: Zach Zimmerman

Zach Zimmerman stares down the field against Glacier Peak, 2016
Courtesy of Anna Wegenast Photography

Published on November 3, 2023

Though Jason Olson propelled Monroe football in the late 1980s, the program appeared to remain strong heading into the 1990s. Even with the departure of Coach Nowadnick after the 1990 season, the 1991 Bearcats captured a conference title. Unbeknownst to all, this was one of Monroe’s the last great seasons before it entered into another period of decline. The Bearcats remained competitive during the 1990s but after 1998, Monroe did not have a winning season for the next thirteen years. Four different head coaches and numerous quarterbacks could not lift produce a winning record until 2011. However, 2014 marked a turning point as first-year Head Coach Brett Jay led the Bearcats to their best start in years. While Monroe football was already slowly beginning to rise, it took the unexpected efforts of an unheralded player to bring the program to one of its highest peaks.

Turning the Tide

Monroe players and a coach meet in a huddle, 2014
Courtesy of the Monroe School District

When Coach Jay arrived in Monroe, key players for the future were beginning to emerge. As a sophomore, J.J. Jerome established himself as the Bearcat’s best running back. At quarterback, Senior Andrew Zimmerman looked to improve upon his success while leading Monroe to new heights. His younger brother, Zach, was also on the team and was one of the team’s wide receivers. The 2014 Bearcats played to their potential and began the season on fire, going 4-0 for the first time since 1974. In particular, Andrew Zimmerman played a significant role in the team’s success, throwing for 1,032 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns.[1]

Excitement for the team was at a fever pitch until disaster struck during a game against Kamiak. Late in the game, Andrew Zimmerman left the game due to an injury, forcing Monroe to put in a backup quarterback Kainalu Batongbacal. Monroe lost the game 27-23 and was dealt a serious setback.[2] Andrew had suffered a serious knee injury that ended his season and Batongbacal also received an injured in the contest. As the Bearcats scrambled to find their new quarterback, the team turned to Zach Zimmerman.[3]

An Unlikely Hero

Zach Zimmerman (4) prepares to throw a pass, 2014
Courtesy of the Monroe School District

Moving Zach to quarterback was a decision made in dire circumstances but was not without merit. Zimmerman was an athletic player, racking up 148 receiving yards and a touchdown while playing wide receiver in the first few games of the season.[4] Unfortunately for Zach, his first start at quarterback came against the perennially dominant Lake Stevens Vikings. A 31-yard screen pass to J.J. Jerome was Zach’s first career touchdown as a quarterback and staked Monroe to an early 7-0 lead. Though Lake Stevens regrouped and dominated the rest of the game, Zimmerman displayed perseverance. Even in the midst of a blowout, Zach remained determined, adding a 75-yard touchdown pass in the final minutes. His unwavering performance earned him the respect of Coach Jay but it would be his performance the rest of the season that secured him the starting quarterback role.[5]

The following week against Cascade would be an indication of things to come in Zimmerman’s career. Zach moved past the Lake Stevens game as he threw for 367 yards and five touchdown passes in a 42-0 rout of the Bruins.[6] Zimmerman added two more touchdown passes during a game against Mariner, an important victory that secured a postseason spot for the team.[7] After winning their final game of the regular season against Mount Vernon, the Bearcats faced Graham-Kapowsin in the Qualifying Round of the State Playoffs. Though the Eagles ended Monroe’s playoff hopes, the season was still a remarkable success.[8] The emergence of Zach Zimmerman saved the season while also giving the team its quarterback of the future.

The New Era

Though Brett Jay departed after his first year, excitement around the program remained strong going into the 2015 season. Michael Bumpus, a former star at Washington State University and wide receiver with the Seattle Seahawks, became Monroe’s new head coach. His charismatic coaching style paired well with the burgeoning talent on the Bearcat roster. While the team depended on many different players to make contributions, the development of Zach Zimmerman would be crucial for the team’s success. In the first game of the season, Zimmerman emphatically answered any doubts.

Zach began the season firing on all cylinders, throwing for 280 yards and four touchdown passes as the Bearcats crushed Oak Harbor 55-6.[9] As they did the season prior, Monroe caught fire as they routed each of their first four opponents. Though the Bearcat offense was run-centered, Zach produced incredible stats. He followed up his four touchdown performance by throwing two touchdown passes against Stanwood to continue his hot streak.[10] After helping to orchestrate a 55-0 dismantling of Snohomish, Zimmerman threw two touchdown passes and scored a rushing touchdown during a victory over Jackson.[11] Despite being an improved team, the Bearcats had their four-game winning streak snapped after another close loss to Kamiak. A week later, Monroe suffered another blowout loss to Lake Stevens.

The Bearcats responded in similar fashion to the year prior, throttling Cascade with a 55-14 drubbing as Zach contributed with two touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown.[12] After blowing out Mariner and Mount Vernon to end the season, the Bearcats headed to the State Qualifying Round hungry for victory. Against a powerful Skyview team, Zimmerman staked Monroe to a 14-7 lead at halftime with a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown. In the second half, Skyview scored three touchdowns and held off a Monroe comeback as the game ended with a 28-21 score. Despite the loss, Coach Bumpus expressed great pride in Zimmerman’s performance. “Statistically, it’s probably not his best game, but coaches will look at the film and just see the battle and heart this kid has,” said Bumpus. “I’m so fortunate to have him coming back next year, for sure.”[13]

Leading a Juggernaut

Zach Zimmerman drops back to pass against Mount Si, 2016
Courtesy of the Monroe School District

Anticipation for Bearcat football reached new heights in 2016 as Monroe’s star players became upperclassmen. Zach Zimmerman and J.J. Jerome became team captains in their Senior seasons, carrying a wealth of talent and experience into their final campaign. The previous seasons had seen the Bearcats flash their ability at points but in 2016, the team finally unlocked its full potential. In the first eight games of the season, the Bearcats dominated and ranked up enormous victories each week. The Monroe defense held their opponents to single digits in seven games while the offense scored over 50 points in six of the contests. While J.J. Jerome’s explosiveness highlighted a potent running offense, Zach Zimmerman’s incredible performance was one of the greatest single-seasons by a Monroe quarterback.

Zach Zimmerman scores a rushing touchdown against Cascade, 2016
Courtesy of Anna Wegenast Photography

To set the tone early, Zach had one of his finest games in the opening game against Meadowdale. In a 55-9 blowout, Zimmerman was remarkably efficient as he completed twelve of fifteen passes, resulting 282 passing yards and four touchdown passes. Rather than simply being a pocket passer, Zimmerman rushing ability made him a versatile athlete. In addition to his eighteen passing touchdowns, Zach scored nine rushing touchdowns during Monroe’s winning streak. His finest game of the steak came at home versus Kamiak, where he produced otherworldly numbers against a team that had beaten Monroe the last two seasons in close games. Zimmerman tallied 236 passing yards as well as four touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown during a 56-7 rout. After beating Jackson in another blowout, the Bearcats traveled to Lake Stevens in a game that would decide the conference champion.

Despite the anticipation preceding the contest, the game quickly spiraled out of control for Monroe, ending with a 42-3 loss. Though the loss stung Monroe’s pride, the Bearcats had to refocus quickly before facing Auburn-Riverside in the State Qualifying Round. Monroe began the game sluggishly and faced a 14-point deficit early on. However, Zach and the Bearcats soon rallied and imposed their will on the Ravens, earning a 48-28 victory. The win was a significant milestone for the program as Monroe earned its first appearance in the State Playoffs since 1991. Zimmerman contributed greatly to the victory with another stellar performance. In addition to throwing for 177 yards and a touchdown pass, Zach rushed for 108 yards and three rushing touchdowns.

Zach Zimmerman celebrates a touchdown against Sumner, 2016
Courtesy of Anna Wegenast Photography

As Monroe advanced to the First Round of the State Playoffs, they faced a high-powered Sumner team. The contest became a shootout as both teams scored touchdown after touchdown. The Bearcats held a 35-23 lead late in the third quarter but Sumner mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter after a series of turnovers by Monroe. Monroe could only muster a single touchdown the rest of the game as Sumner claimed a 58-42 victory. While Zach also fell victim to turnovers, he racked up 172 passing yards, two touchdown passes, and 93 rushing yards.[14] Though his time as a Monroe quarterback ended that night in Sumner, Zach Zimmerman’s legacy extends into today.

A program-defining Career

Zach Zimmerman points out the defense before a play, 2016
Courtesy of Anna Wegenast Photography

While Zach established himself as a capable quarterback in high school, Zimmerman’s college career differed significantly from his days at Monroe. He switched positions and primarily played as a defensive back or safety during his college years. Zach initially played one season at Laney College before transferring to the University of North Dakota.[15] After one year with the Fighting Hawks, Zach returned to Washington when he enrolled at Central Washington University where he finished his football career.[16] Nevertheless, Zimmerman’s career as a Monroe quarterback remains as a significant milestone for himself and Monroe football.

Zach Zimmerman set numerous school records, including career passing yards and career touchdown passes. His five touchdown passes in a single game tied his brother, Andrew, for the most in a single game. Though these records were all recently broken, Zimmerman’s importance still remains. His excellent ability and leadership not only raised the standard for Monroe quarterbacks, he helped to elevate the program as a whole. After years of struggle, Monroe football had regained its place as one of the best programs in the WESCO conference.

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