EDGEWATER — Lowly, ever-transient Jefferson has won a grand total of four state titles, none since 1968.
Its boys soccer team entered 2011 with zero league titles since the sport was sanctioned in 1976, and its coach was told the program was his six practices before the first game.
All of the above only made Tuesday that much sweeter, when Jefferson took down visiting Arrupe Jesuit 3-0 at Jim Turner Field to secure its first crown in Region 8, which serves as a league in the Class 3A layout. The Saints (12-2, 8-0) will finish at home against Lake County in nonleague Thursday, expect to be seeded within the top dozen in the 32-team postseason bracket this weekend, then host their first playoff game a week from today.
“It’s awesome,” said athletic director George White, who poured through school annals once he sensed the Saints would be competitive.
Jose Zubia found the back of the net twice for the Saints, who carried most of the play.
“We’re making history for our school,” Zubia said.
Yimi Serrano, who set up Zubia’s second goal with a crisp cross, then capped the scoring late in the second half, appreciates “the moments we have with this team, they’re wonderful. We’re just trying to improve and get a state championship for our school.”
Coach Julio Ocana, an assistant at Redlands Valley East in California when Landon Donovan roamed its pitch, called the program’s turnaround “the most exhilarating thing. The boys have bonded well.”
The Generals (7-7, 5-3) completed their regular season generally devoid of any serious scoring chances, mostly thanks to the Jefferson defense, which is symbolic of its student body. The Saints are the one true melting pot in Jefferson County, a wide-ranging mix of foreign-born teenagers who have had few siblings precede them at the school.
Years of turnover, including on the staff, made Tuesday’s victory “great stuff for us,” principal Mike Little said.
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
