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Fort Atkinson star will take his game to Saginaw Valley State

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

South all-star Jaren Borland of Fort Atkinson fends off a defender during a run in practice on Wednesday at UW Whitewater.

WHITEWATER — Sometimes the obvious choice isn't so obvious.

Take the case of Jaren Borland.

The 2008 Fort Atkinson High graduate finished with 3,399 yards rushing in becoming the school's all-time leader.

With his father, Brian, the defensive coordinator for defending NCAA Division III champion UW-Whitewater, and his grandfather, Glen, the color commentator on football radio broadcasts, it seemed only natural for Jaren to make the 15-mile trek from Fort Atkinson and play for the Warhawks.

This week could've been an initial introduction to the football facilities at Whitewater as Borland practices with the South All-Star squad in preparation for Saturday's Wisconsin Football Coaches' Association game in Oshkosh.

But Jaren wants to carve out his own niche. And that's why he will play at Division II Saginaw Valley State in University Center, Mich.

"My dad told me that Whitewater was always here if this is where I wanted to go, but he didn't want me to decide to go here right after high school without looking around first," Jaren said. "Once I got to the campus at Saginaw and saw what they had to offer, I knew that's where I wanted to go.

"It's a Division II school and a good program. And my dad thought it was a good choice, as well."

The Borland name is synonymous with Fort Atkinson football, and Jaren certainly continued the legacy.

The 6-foot, 195-pounder was a two-time Southern Lakes All-Conference selection, including first team on offense and defense his senior year. He rushed for 1,345 yards for the Blackhawks in 2008 in leading them to a WIAA postseason berth. Jaren rushed for 161 yards in an opening-round playoff loss to Lake Geneva Badger, and will play running back for a Saginaw Valley State team that finished 7-3 a year ago.

"I'm just going to go in and work hard and hope to contribute right away," Jaren said. "That's is why this week has been so much fun because this is the type of talent that I know I'm going to see in college."

Although Jaren won't be a part of a Warhawk team that has played in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl the last three years, he said that the relationship with his father would remain strong.

"Dad never really wanted to talk about his (Whitewater) games unless I brought it up, and I'm sure that will be the case when I go to Saginaw," Jaren said. "He has always been more concerned with how I was doing and how my game went.

"He's always told me to do my best and to always work hard. And that's what I plan on doing."

Jaren has not decided on a major yet for college, but is leaning toward criminal justice. He'll wrap up his high school career Saturday night, and knows it might be one of the last times his dad gets to see him play in person.

"There are so many great players on this team that I really think we can put on a show," Jaren said. "We're practicing hard and really getting after it because we winning the game is important."

So is carrying on the Borland name. And that's something Jaren Borland should have no trouble doing.