PASADENA — The Pasadena football program fell on some hard times. The team finished 0-10 last season and struggled to find its footing on offense, getting shut out seven times.

This season started with more of the same, as the Bulldogs lost their first three games.

However, the team persevered and continued to believe in itself. That commitment culminated in a remarkable turnaround and hot playoff run that produced a 21-17, come-from-behind win over Gahr on Saturday in the CIF-Southern Section Division 13 championship.

This is the first CIF-SS football championship for Pasadena (8-6) since 1933.

“Surreal man,” said first-year Pasadena coach Ron Jones after the game. “I’m so happy for those kids with all they’ve been through and all the trials and tribulations we’ve had all year. To finish in this format in a close game and tough game, I’m just grateful.”

One of the players who went through the low of 0-10 and now the high of winning a CIF title is senior running back Josiah Rucker. He rushed for 97 yards on 12 attempts. His last carry was a 34-yard touchdown run with 3:20 left that turned a 17-15 deficit into a 21-17 lead.

“Just the commitment and work we put in,” Rucker said of the program’s turnaround. “At practice there were no shenanigans. We put our head toward what we wanted to do and we got to where we needed to be.”

Rucker said when he got the handoff on the game-winning touchdown and darted through the hole, he didn’t assume he’d necessarily score.

“I just kept on running as hard as I can like I always do,” Rucker said. “I was happy that I scored and happy that I was able to put some points on the board.”

Gahr (8-6) threatened to retake the lead after Rucker’s touchdown. The Gladiators got the ball at the Pasadena 35 following a 25-yard kickoff return from De’Mir Cunningham. Gahr drove to the Bulldogs 15. The Gladiators pushed themselves back though to the 28 following illegal use of the hands and false start penalties.

Gahr quarterback Roman Acosta dropped back and heaved a deep pass to the left side. That’s when Andrew Johnson jumped up and hauled down an interception for Pasadena at the 5 with 2:07 remaining.

The Bulldogs later got a first down on a 5-yard run from Kayden Holloway on a third-and-2 that allowed Pasadena to run out the clock.

“I got the interception and everyone was happy,” Johnson said. “I’m happy. I’m grateful I got it and made history.”

Johnson explained that he had immediate shock as soon as the pass was thrown his way.

“I was like ‘The ball is in the air. I have to concentrate,’” he said. “I had to reposition myself. I turned around and got it.”

Two players crucial to Pasadena’s turnaround were sophomore quarterback Dutch Burbidge and senior Christopher Solis-Lumar. Both transferred from Glendora and were cleared to player midway through the season.

The two connected for two touchdowns against Gahr. The first was in the first quarter when Burbidge found Solis-Lumar in the end zone for a 36-yard strike that tied the game 7-7.

Burbidge found Solis-Lumar on Pasadena’s opening drive of the third quarter when they connected for a 13-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-5. Following an offsides by Gahr on the PAT attempt, Pasadena decided to go for two instead. Burbidge then ran in the conversion to give Pasadena a 15-14 lead.

“I’m feeling great,” said Solis-Lumar, who caught five passes for 77 yards. “This is a great experience. It’s crazy. It’s a monumental moment.”

Burbidge completed 9 of 13 passes for 108 yards.

“Just the will of these guys is amazing,” Burbidge said of his teammates. “It’s incredible to see. They just wanted it that badly.”

Burbidge wasn’t expected to start at quarterback at the beginning of the season. Hype Grand came back to Pasadena after transferring from Orange High but was declared ineligible by CIF. That made Burbidge the next man up to lead the turnaround effort.

“Everybody just came together and played their hearts out,” Burbidge said.

Pasadena had to win a coin flip following a third-place tie in the Pacific League to earn a playoff spot.

Pasadena started the playoffs with a 23-15 win over Santa Rosa Academy before defeating San Marino 22-16 in the quarterfinals and Lynwood 37-0 in the semifinals.