CLASS 4A BOYS STATE: Jaguars no longer an afterthought

When Judas Perez took over as Desert Pines’ boys soccer coach in 2008, athletes weren’t exactly flocking to the field to join him.

The Jaguars were mostly an afterthought in a competitive Northeast League.

“My first year coaching, nobody wanted to come out,” Perez said. “They used to tell me Desert Pines has nothing.”

The detractors would have a lot of trouble making that statement now.

Fresh off the school’s first Sunrise Region soccer title, the Jaguars (14-3-3) will face Bishop Gorman (18-1-1) in a Class 4A state semifinal at 6 p.m. Friday at Bettye Wilson Park. Legacy meets Spanish Springs in the other semifinal at 4 p.m., with the two winners returning at 10 a.m. Saturday to battle for the state crown.

“The first year, we were close (to making the playoffs),” Perez said. “The second year, we were close, and more guys kept coming out. Now we’re going to state.”

Perez’s first seven matches on the Desert Pines sideline in 2008 didn’t go well. The Jaguars were 1-6 as they struggled to get enough personnel and put the right players in the right spots. Since then, Desert Pines is 27-10-6 while playing most of its matches in a league where first place changes hands on an almost daily basis.

But this season has been the Jaguars’ best by far.

“When I saw my kids at the start of the year, I saw they wanted something,” Perez said. “They came to practice on time every day, and they weren’t there just to be there. They knew there was something coming. We worked hard.

“We knew we were missing little parts, but we got them together.”

Desert Pines isn’t a particularly high-scoring team, averaging less than 2½ goals per match, but the team has allowed only 14 goals all season and has the potential to score in a heartbeat, thanks to tremendous team speed.

“We’re on a path, and we’re not letting up,” said forward Victor Favela, one of five players to score for the Jaguars during the region tournament. “It’s exciting. I’m proud of the family we have.”

Favela scored twice in the region tourney, and teammates Randal Valazquez, Ruben Arzola, Jesus Garcia and Gerardo Romero each added a goal.

“We came in as the underdog,” Favela said. “Nobody was expecting Desert Pines to make it from the beginning. We weren’t even mentioned.”

Angel Guzman has been solid in goal for Desert Pines, which allowed only two goals in the region tourney and just four in its past nine matches.

“We have to work hard in practice and give our heart on the field,” Perez said. “We have miles and miles of heart.”

And win or lose this weekend, Perez might not need to ever worry about enough athletes trying to be a part of his program.

Interest is as high as it’s ever been, and even former players are coming to matches to show their support for the Jaguars’ family.

“I’ve got like 14 seniors, but I’ve got a good feeling that a lot of people will be coming out next year,” Perez said.