The school was charging an additional $1,200 in tuition because the  student was required to re-enroll in the
workshop the following term .  This parent said to me, “Yes, she surely  learned her lesson when I had to pay that
additional $1,200”.  No one else in the room within earshot seemed to be troubled with that statement,   I had to laugh.  If not, I think I may have cried.  According to Julie Baumgardner , Executive Director of First Thing First, an
organization dedicated to strengthening families through education, research shows that the adolescent brain is still under development even into the early 20’s. An adolescent’s sense of right and wrong, of healthy appropriate boundaries, their sense of how to assess a situation – what is safe and what is not – are all still developing. In order to develop these abilities it is imperative that teens experience the natural consequences of their choices.

But what does that look like?  Some might say in the scenario stated above that the student would be required to pay the $1,200 in order to continue her education.  That is probably not realistic and I’m aware of very few parents who would have the ability to allow their child suffer in this way.  No, rather, a delicate balance of consequences coupled
with mercy is what is in order.  So, in the above mentioned case the parent might through discussion with his
daughter come to a reasonable agreement regarding a contribution to resolving the problem. For example, perhaps,  during the summer when the young woman is not enrolled in school  she could contribute a portion of a pay check from a summer job to off-set the expense.  In this way the teen would experience some of the consequence of her decisions
without having the full responsibility weigh so heavily that she would become overwhelmed.

As teens develop and mature the more we are able to structure the discipline around the natural consequences the more quickly they will attain the skills to self govern.  So, for example, if your teen breaks trust and lies to you about something a discussion regarding trust building along with a consequence of not having that trust for a period of time would be in order.  Also, it is very important not to stand in the way of the natural consequences others may be imposing.  If the tardy policy at your teen’s school requires a detention for unexcused late arrival do not call the school and make excuses for your teen.  Allow him to experience the weight of his choices in these small things so that later in life he will have the skills he needs to avoid much more challenging types of trouble such as losing his job because he is chronically late.

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Sondra Cole, Principal

Part 3: Final Installment: “So What’s
the Big Deal?”

So once parents, youth
workers, educators, pastors and concerned adults  raise their awareness and understanding of
the facts about and pervasiveness of marijuana and its impact on today’s youth
culture what do we do about it?   First, we must take a personal inventory of
our own thoughts, attitudes and behaviors. Is there something in our beliefs
and behaviors that tacitly condones the use of marijuana and/or other mind
altering substances?  Some questions I
might ask myself might include: Do I avoid difficult circumstances or feelings
through the use of alcohol, food, other drugs, or addictions?  Do I minimize my own responsibility for my
actions or those of significant others in my life?  Have I bought into the sensibility that
“everyone is doing it” so I need to go along with status quo?    If so, those issues must be addressed
within myself if I am to have a hope of impacting the youth in my life to make
better choices.

Besides addressing my own attitudes, beliefs, and actions,
according to the Center for Parent and
Youth Understanding there are two other critically essential elements to
addressing this problem.  First, there is
the highly essential relational component that is so important to adolescent
development in general.  That is, it is
critical to develop strong, loving relationships with the teens in our
lives.  Secondly, and some would say  the most effective deterrent to the alluring
world of marijuana,  is to lovingly
establish legitimate boundaries for teens, to back it up by monitoring their
behavior, and to consistently enforce the rules when broken. This task can seem
daunting, especially in the face of the teens who will tell you everyone else
is allowed to do it.  But, the truth is,
and statistics bear out the fact that teens truly do respond to consistent
lovingly administered discipline.  Yes,
teens may still experiment but consistent boundaries and consequences are most
likely to assist teens as they mature to make better choices.  So, be brave, as the slogan goes, “Live above
the influence”, even if most of the adults you know are looking the other
way.

What’s the Big Deal (Part 2)

So,  let’s not deny the truth.  Let’s agree to believe statistics and  embrace the idea that our culture has become
increasingly more permissive when it comes to the use of marijuana.   In a recent survey of 1,000 teens conducted by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that marijuana was easier to buy than
alcohol. Marijuana increasingly is perceived by teens as a harmless rite of passage. A survey of 1,600 U.S.
middle and high school students conducted by SADD (Student Against Drunk Driving) and insurance company Liberty Mutual found that “drugged driving”—driving after smoking marijuana—was more common than drunk
driving (68 percent versus 48 percent, respectively), and 57 percent of teens who use drugs are not concerned about riding in a car with a “drugged driver.”

Let’s not deny the impact on our youth.  Let’s not deny that kids who smoke pot do worse in school.  According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, researchhas shown that marijuana’s negative effects on attention, memory, and learning can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off (Schweinsburg et al. 2008).  As a result, a teen who smokes marijuana daily may be functioning at a reduced intellectual level most or all of the time.  Not surprisingly, evidence suggests that, compared with their nonsmoking peers, students who smoke marijuana tend to get lower grades and are more likely to drop out of high school (Fergusson and Boden 2008). A meta-analysis of 48 relevant studies—one of the most thorough performed to date—found cannabis use to be
associated consistently with reduced educational attainment (e.g., grades and chances of graduating) (Macleod et al. 2004). So, let’s not deny that smoking pot actually makes kids dumber!

That is why it really is a big deal. 

*****************************************************************************************************************

Part One:

When I was twelve years old my best friend and I came across my big sister’s pot stash and smoked some of it.  It didn’t take very long for my mom to figure out something was going on.  To say my friend and I were acting foolishly
would be an understatement.  When my parents got to the bottom of what had happened my big sister was in even bigger
trouble than I was.  I vaguely remember shouts of, “WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL???, doors slamming, and lots of tears followed by a long period of restriction for my sister. Back then, although kids still pressed the envelope, most of the parents I knew did think it was a big deal.

Thirty years later, and just a few short years ago, I  sat across the desk from  a ten year old who had been caught
smoking pot at a previous school several times. When I asked the four foot eleven little cutie about this incident he
smiled back at me through  several gaps from the missing baby teeth in his toothy smile and  said, “What’s the big deal?”  Further questioning revealed he had obtained the marijuana at home.  It seemed his mother, the holder of a medicinal marijuana card, had a prescription and the young man thinking that it was “no big deal” had decided it wouldn’t be a bad idea at all to take some to school and share with his friends.  According to this young man this type of
thing is a fairly regular occurrence at the junior high school he attended in Hollister.  Before I start getting hate
mail from holders of medicinal marijuana cards and/or folks that work at or attend junior high school in Hollister let me say a few things.  First, this message is not an indictment of those holding medical marijuana cards; I’m sure there are some folks who legitimately hold prescriptions for marijuana and are using it under a doctor’s care for medicinal purposes.  Nor am I saying this is a problem of junior high schools in Hollister. Not at all.   No rather, my point is one made very clearly by the Center for Youth and Parent Understanding, “ Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug among today’s youth.”   So, it makes sense to explore the impact of the changing perception of marijuana use in our culture as it impact  our youth and the appropriate parental response  to the changing times….(To Be Continued)

According to Alfie Kohen, an American author and lecturer who has explored a number of topics in education, parenting, and human behavior, when it comes to the subject of how kids are raised in our culture it seemly lately there is really only one story told.   According to the popular thought in newspapers, magazines, blogs, or just around the water cooler it is a fairly consistent story.  Kohen asserts the general consensus is that, “Parents today either cannot or will not set limits
for their children. Instead of disciplining them, they hover and coddle and bend over backward to protect their self-esteem.  The result is that we are raising a generation of  undisciplined narcissists who think the world revolves around them and who are in for a rude awakening when reality sets in”.  The truth is though that the people were saying almost exactly the same things about kids a century ago.  In fact I contend, in agreement with author Jean Twenge, author of the books Generation Me and The Narcisissim Epidemic, “every generation is Generation Me”, that is until it grows up.  The question then becomes simpler.  How do we expedite that process?

Any discussion on that topic should begin with what we should not do.   Succumbing to the pressure that results from
the charges of “helicopter parenting” or “coddling”  kids and deciding tough love is the answer to help kids grow up in a hurry clearly will not work.  Studies have shown that kids who receive the highest levels of support, love, and ncouragement, become the most productive adults in society.  On the other hand, kids who are punished harshly, berated or are the recipients of abusive corporal punishment make up the largest proportion of the population of sociopaths
in jails across the country.  Lack of support and harsh discipline has  proven to result in long term psychological and social problems.  So what is the answer?  A group of educators from around the state recently met to discuss the challenges of supporting youth for positive outcomes.  One topic that came up was the twelfth grade year of high school.  Educators from around the state weighed in with the general thought being that the final grade of high school is a complete waste of time for students.  According to reports from these educators, students in this grade are difficult to manage, have poor attitudes, poor attendance and in general waste their time during this critical period of their lives. What parent of a seventeen and a half year old cannot attest to the “know- it-all itis” that seems to overtake our teens, like a bad case of the
chicken pox, as they approach their eighteenth birthday?  So, is the answer to just do away with twelfth grade as the educators jokingly suggested? I think not.  But clearly, a response to this issue is necessary.

In a recent study developed by four different organizations including The Conference Board, Corporate Voices for Working Families, Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and the Society for Human Resource Management they looked at
the readiness of new entrants to the workforce to determine how well Americans would do on the global economic playing field. The four participating organizations jointly surveyed over 400 employers across the United States and determined the most important skills cited by employers included, professionalism/work ethic, oral and written communication, teamwork/collaborationand critical thinking/problem solving.

The Workforce Readiness Report Card for new entrants into the workforce with a high school diploma does
not have a single item in the “Excellence List”. All ten skills that a majority of employer respondents rate as “very important” to workforce success are on the “Deficiency List”.  Another study done regarding entering freshman in the California State University system showed that fifty percent of students required remedial English classes while
forty percent required remedial mathematics. Entering freshman to community colleges fared even worse as a whopping
ninety percent of these students required remedial assistance.  Clearly, our high school seniors have more to learn.

Anchorpoint’s response to this issue is two-fold. First, we realize that as students mature in order to be motivated to work diligently they need to see how the work they are doing fits into their own ideas of the future they would like to build for themselves.  Secondly, students must come to an understanding that there is more to learn.    This is the reason we have developed the Anchorpoint Work Experience Internship Program.  The program has several different components that work to achieve these goals.  First, students work through an assessment to determine their aptitude for work, later with the counseling assistance of Daphne Montenegro, Job Coach,   students determine the type of internship they are interested in and that benefit them vocationally.  At this point, utilizing a self reflection
tool developed for this purpose, students assess their own needs regarding the hard as well as soft skills they would like to acquire.  Employers partner with Anchorpoint staff to train and assess students based on students’ own
pre-determined goals.  Students in effect decide for themselves where they would like to work and what they would like to learn in the scope of that work.  Finally, students participate in a minimum of four annual workshops developed to assist in the acquisition of skills such as conflict resolution, human resource management, problem
solving/critical thinking, and business etiquette. In their book Do Hard Things Alex and Brett Harris state the term adolescence actually means “to grow up”.  They contend the problem with the modern understanding of the term is that it sometimes holds teens back from that very process as it, “allows, encourages, and even trains young people to remain
childish for far longer than is necessary. They explain, “Prior to the twentieth century, throughout history, people were either children or adults.  Family and work were the primary occupation of the group we now call teenagers.”  So, as educators and parents our job then is to structure the lives of our teens in such a way as to change the perspective
of the teen years from one of childish freedom to that of a time to develop the skills and attitudes necessary to maintain adult responsibilities.  The hope is through this process students will mature. After all, in the end, isn’t helping them to mature really what this is all about?

Greetings!

We are looking forward to a fantastic year at Anchorpoint. As many of you have heard by now, we received full accreditation from both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and American Christian Schools International (ACSI).  We are honored that Dale Phillips, Director of ACSI,  wrote that the staff and board of directors , “… are to be commended for pursuing excellence throughout our programs and providing an education that develops a Christian worldview in our students”.

I would like to acknowledge the Anchorpoint staff who accomplished this goal through hard work and dedication. In particular, I would like to affirm Daphne Montenegro, a new member of our staff , who was inspired to work tirelessly alongside our team to document our school’s self- study.  Excellent job Daphne!

He won’t like this because he doesn’t like to call attention to himself,  but I would also like to salute Mr. White, our School Board President, who was commended by the WASC accreditation team for his dedication and commitment to carrying on the vision Mr. and Mrs. Malone first expressed at the founding of the school.  Also, I would like to thank Mrs. Malone for her vision for Christian education in Gilroy and for her commitment to providing Christian education to any student desiring one regardless of his/her ability to pay. Thank you Mrs. Malone for your generosity.

I would like to recognize Mr. Ron Kinoshita, a forty year veteran of the Gilroy Unified School District, who has been a true friend to the Anchorpoint community. He has come alongside of us to share his experience and wisdom as a
school board member to help improve our programs.  I would also like to thank Sergio Montenegro,  a one- time principal in several Gilroy Unified schools and current Superintendent of North Monterey Schools.  Thank you Sergio for your support, your time, your wisdom (and your wife!)  Also, Robert Apolinar, a former student, and a current ACS School Board Member who is helping us to keep our finger on the pulse of our student body. Robert was an excellent student
while at Anchorpoint, always willing to serve his peers, and he continues to do so.

We also owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. David Clark, another veteran of the Gilroy Unified School District, who has acted as advisor to our school board for many years and has also labored tirelessly to improve our facilities.  I would be remiss if I did not mention Donna Garcia, Superintendent of Pacific West Christian Academy, for her willingness to mentor me personally and share her wisdom regarding Christian education. Thank you, Donna, for your support!

Finally, to our parents and students, a big thank you for all your support and kind words. You are the reason we were so intent on meeting the requirements required for accreditation.  I know I speak for the entire ACS staff and school board when I say it is truly our hearts’ desire to serve you in meeting your need for Christian education in Gilroy.

So, thank you all for assisting ACS become – in the words of one young man – “The real deal!!”

Interestingly, through the process of self study and accreditation something even more extraordinary has happened.     In reflecting on our growth thus far,  a verse from Mathew 11 comes to mind, it is  Jesus’ response to the prison bound John when John asked the question of Jesus, “ are you the real deal?”  Jesus said, “The blind receive sight,the lame walk, those who have leprosy^[b] are cleansed, the deaf  hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”  So, Jesus was saying,” You will know I am the real deal by what I do.”  In considering
whether Anchorpoint is “the real deal” then I have to ask myself what is Jesus doing here.  I think of a young man who
at his valedictorian address reported that although the product of a wonderfulChristian home and a straight “A” student upon arriving at Anchorpoint, in his own words, “He didn’t like himself.”  He said he learned to love and appreciate himself at Anchorpoint (and the blind shall see).  I thought of another student, whose father passed away when he was nine  , who came here,  not too eagerly, upon the urging of his mother, to avoid the trappings of the inner city.  He used to argue with me about the littlest things especially when it came to the rights of his fellow students.   I told him he should be an attorney and fight for the rights of those less able. Although his mother passed away from breast cancer, soon after his
graduation from Anchorpoint, we at Anchorpoint continued to stay in relationship with him and support him through the trials he experienced.   I received a call from him just last week.  He said, “I’m ready”.  “Ready for what?” was my response.   It was then that he informed me he would be graduating from California State University at San Jose  in May
and he would like me to assist him in applying for law school. (the good news is proclaimed to the poor)   Yet another student, a beautiful young woman, highly intelligent and academically talented, felt she had a call on her
life.  She wanted to sing for the glory of God.  Here in our little chapel she began first to explore that dream.  At
first, as she sang worship songs, barely a whisper escaped her mouth.  However, in just two years time, she went
from a timid young lady with a dream to a confident young woman.  She auditioned for the coveted position at
the California State University at San Francisco music program where amidst furious competition she won a spot.
Today she studies music there. (the deaf shall hear)  Then, I think of the young man who came to ACS  suffering
with the fallout of a home wracked with family problems that he became sorebellious and defiant that I had to suspend him four times in just a few months span and finally requested for him to withdraw from the school until
such a time as he felt he could comply with ACS discipline standards.  He called me this summer and requested
permission to do community service on our campus.  “Of course!” I told him.  After several hours of weeding, he requested
a meeting with me.  What a surprise I received when he sat across the desk from me and said, “Mrs. Cole I love you
and Anchorpoint is the best place on earth.” I asked him, “Why do you say that?”. His response is our purpose for being here.  “Because this is where I learned I have a father in heaven who loves me no matter what. I will do anything to be a part of this school.” (those who have leprosy^[b] are cleansed)

When Dr. Nelson Noriega, the chairman for the joint accrediting team finished speaking with parents and students of Anchorpoint last year, he came to me at aloss for words.  He said, “In over thirty years of educating students,  I have
never seen anything like what God is doing at Anchorpoint.  I am not an emotional man, but try as I might, as I listened to students, alumni, and parents alike talk about their experiences at Anchorpoint, I was overwhelmed. Truth be told, I could not hold back the tears.  Neither could any of my colleagues. Anchorpoint should be shouting from the rooftops what God is doing at your school.”   

As I discussed the events of the day with my nineteen year old son, who is a second year student at Arizona State
University,  he said, “Mom, you should write a book about what God is doing at Anchorpoint and about serving other
people.”  I told him, “ Better yet, son, let your life be a testimony to what you have seen and heard at Anchorpoint.”  So this is my encouragement to you, let your lives be a testimony to the glory of God at Anchorpoint.  Board members, I implore you, continue to find a means to serve those who desire a Christian education regardless of their ability to pay; Continue to maintain the integrity required to maintain an inclusive institution that does not discriminate or mandate based on tuition or stringent entrance requirements a homogenous environment; Do not cave in to the general consensus that says what we are doing cannot be done.

Parents, support your students in every way.  Be, “quick to listen and slow to speak”.  Be willing to discipline whenever necessary but always do so out of love and never out of anger.  Come alongside the staff at Anchorpoint and work with us to make Anchorpoint a better place.  Staff, continue to work diligently.  Always be lead by the Holy Spirit in all the activities you do.  “Consider yourself less than others”, and above all things love God and the students, especially when it is difficult to do so.  Students, show God the appreciation you have for this opportunity by benefiting from it. Arrive on time.  Work diligently in your classes.  Be kind and respectful to one another, the staff, administration, and your parents.  In all of these things, we will testify of the goodness of God and what He is doing at Anchorpoint.

To God be the glory!

Brendle, a senior, injured his neck in the team’s win against Clovis last week. What first appeared to be an injury that would have him out a week or two, head coach KC Adams said, turned into much more.

“He went in for an MRI and they found a tumor on his spine that has been growing for five years,” Adams said. “We will know more this week what is really going on.

“It was an emotional thing for the kids this week,” Adams said. “I haven’t seen them play like that before.”

The Warriors relied on a pair of quarterbacks, Matt Garay and Samuel Apolinar. to run the offense. Both had efficient days under center, throwing for 70 yards and two touchdowns each.

Kareem Lucas backed up a 271-yard rushing performance last week with 141 more yards and three scores.

Colin Minyard had a career day, hauling in four catches for 91 yards and three touchdowns. Matt Thomas also corralled a 44-yard touchdown pass.

“Colin, I don’t know what he ate, but I want to have more of that,” Adams said of his wide receiver.

The Warriors open Coastal Athletic League play against Crystal Springs Uplands next Saturday.

“Crystal Springs is real good,” Adams said. “We are going to have to be on our ‘A’ game.”

Dedicating the game – and the season – to injured teammate Jacob Brendle, an inspired Anchorpoint Christian football team thumped visiting Faith Christian 78-8 on Friday night.

Brendle, a senior, injured his neck in the team’s win against Clovis last week. What first appeared to be an injury that would have him out a week or two, head coach KC Adams said, turned into much more.

“He went in for an MRI and they found a tumor on his spine that has been growing for five years,” Adams said. “We will know more this week what is really going on.

“It was an emotional thing for the kids this week,” Adams said. “I haven’t seen them play like that before.”

The Warriors relied on a pair of quarterbacks, Matt Garay and Samuel Apolinar. to run the offense. Both had efficient days under center, throwing for 70 yards and two touchdowns each.

Kareem Lucas backed up a 271-yard rushing performance last week with 141 more yards and three scores.

Colin Minyard had a career day, hauling in four catches for 91 yards and three touchdowns. Matt Thomas also corralled a 44-yard touchdown pass.

“Colin, I don’t know what he ate, but I want to have more of that,” Adams said of his wide receiver.

The Warriors open Coastal Athletic League play against Crystal Springs Uplands next Saturday.

“Crystal Springs is real good,” Adams said. “We are going to have to be on our ‘A’ game.”

GILROY – Despite its offense being held scoreless in the second half, another stout defensive effort by the Anchorpoint Christian Warriors helped secure a relatively tight 30-6 victory over North County Christian on Saturday afternoon in Gilroy.
Junior Samuel Apolinar forced two fumbles and Josh Masteroieni recovered another for the Warriors’ rugged defense, which already has two shut outs in four games this season.

The Warriors have averaged 50 points per game, so the team’s 30 point output Saturday left head coach, KC Adams, a bit mystified, yet grateful for the win.

“We got spanked by this team last year,” Adams said. “That was the first time in three years we haven’t scored in the second half. I didn’t know what to do. They shut us down in the second half, but I think we were playing not to lose instead of playing to build on the score.”

Anchorpoint set the tone early, electing to attempt some trickery on the opening kick off. The gamble paid off as the Warriors recovered the onside kick. Seven plays later Apolinar bulled into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown, his first of three rushing scores on the day.

The Crusaders mounted their own scoring drive on the ensuing series but a chain of key defensive plays, highlighted by a Masteroieni quarterback sack on a second-and-goal play, helped extinguish the threat.

The Warriors took over on downs and efficiently built on their lead as the offense gobbled up 55 yards in seven plays, with Apolinar finishing the march with a 5-yard jaunt. Senior Nicholas Colmon, who filled in for the Warriors’ regular starting quarterback Josh Ignagni, found his groove during the drive, connecting twice with Jacob Brendle on passes of 16 and 25 yards.

“We had to make sure we were extra prepared because we knew that they were a tough team,” Brendle said. “We had to be tougher. It was Nick’s first week. We made sure we were on the same page. He came through.”

Brendle hauled in nine catches for 127 yards and also rushed for 38 yards and a score.

“That’s just how he plays all the time,” Adams said. “That’s what he does.”

Colmon was effective in his starting debut hitting 11-of-20 for 157 yards.

The scoring continued at a hastened pace as Apolinar scampered 14 yards, leaping over a defender on his way to his third touchdown of the first half to put the Warriors up 22-0.

Apolinar wrapped up the day with 101 yards on 19 carries.

Anchorpoint opened up a 30-0 lead three minutes before halftime, as Brendle did some damage on the ground scoring a 3-yard touchdown.

The California State C.I.F. office has just announced that Anchorpoint’s athletic director and coach K.C. Adams has been named the winner of the 2009-2010 “Honor Coach Award”, perhaps the highest honor given to a high school coach in California.
From the C.I.F. bio:
KC Adams has long been a fixture in Gilroy youth sports programs. When he arrived at Anchorpoint Christian HS in 2003, the school had no competitive athletic program. In the fall of 2004, KC formed boys and girl’s basketball teams, and added baseball and softball teams that spring. In 2007, KC spearheaded the formation of an 8-man football league within the CCS, a program that continues to grow among small member schools. KC believes in the character building power of team sports and many a troubled youth have turned their lives around under his mentoring. His peers have voted him Coach of the Year on several occasions. More significantly, KC is known among his fellow coaches as a person who will go out of his way to help them be successful in their own programs.
Adams honored with Model Coach Award

By Josh Weaver GILROY DISPATCH

GILROY – Anchorpoint Christian football coach KC Adams was one of 13 coaches from around California to be honored with the Model Coach Award, handed out by the California Interscholastic Federation.
Adams, who led the Warriors 8-man football team to an undefeated 9-0-1 season in 2009, was instrumental in establishing the football program at Anchorpoint three years ago. Since then, the Warriors have registered a 21-4-1 record.

The Warriors concluded the ’09 season ranked first in the Central Coast Section and 14th in the state.

“I know how big of an award this is so for me it’s an honor. I appreciate it and I’m still in shock about it all,” Adams said. “God gave me a gift and I’m just working it His way.”

The CIF has been handing out the Model Coach Award for nine years. According to CIF Web site, the distinction is given to coaches who “have served as positive role models in their schools and communities, and who have exhibited the traits apparent in the 16 principles of Pursuing Victory with Honor.”

Adams, who also serves as the school’s athletic director and basketball coach, demonstrates a no-nonsense coaching style, and credits many of his instructional philosophies to coaches that helped shape him as a teenager growing up in Oakland.

“The reason I got into coaching was because of one of my coaches,” Adams said. “He taught us a whole lot about life.

“I guess if you ask anyone, I’m kind of a disciplinarian as well as a coach. What I’m doing right now may not make sense to the kids now, but it will when they get older.”

Adams said that coaching isn’t all about winning, but about having dignity and respect for sports and all who are involved. Adams expects the best from the athletes who decide to participate on his teams.

“My approach has always been the same,” Adams said. “To be honest, I’m not a walk in the park. I am very, very demanding but at the same time I love what I do. The kids have got to be willing to buy into the program. I get some kids that manners weren’t exactly the first priority in their lives. But the first thing they hear from me is Pursuing Victory With Honor.”

Adams points to a moment this past season where his seniors on the football team shared their Senior Night with the opposing team’s seniors and also cooked them dinner after the game.

That behavior is what Adams said he wants the kids to carry on with them after leaving Anchorpoint.

“That’s what it’s all about,” Adams said. The program works. It turned them from selfish people into caring people. That’s how you want your kids to be when they are off on their own and mom and dad aren’t looking.”

Adams led the Anchorpoint basketball team, with only six guys on the roster to a 4-4 league record.

Friday, September 23, 2011
Anzar High, the new kids on the 8-man football block, hosted four-time Coastal Athletic League champion Anchorpoint Christian and a rivalry sprang to life in San Juan Bautista on Friday night.

Daniel Modic barreled into the end zone in the second quarter for the Hawks’ (0-2 overall, 0-1 CAL) first touchdown in program history, sending a spirited home crowd into frenzy. But it was Kareem Lucas and the Warriors (1-2 overall, 1-0 CAL) who had the final say with a 38-28 victory, pushing their league unbeaten streak to 17 games.

“That’s one down,” said head coach KC Adams, whose Warriors suited up just nine players. “We are trying to win the league. That’s our goal. Let’s win something with the little that we got.”

The Warriors are 17-0-1 in the CAL since their inaugural 2007 season. The tie came in 2009 against Marina.

Lucas ran for three touchdowns and threw for two more, tallying 257 (199 on the ground) yards on offense. Despite being targeted by the Hawks defense, the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder had scoring runs of nine and 62 yards in the first quarter, the latter lifting Anchorpoint into the lead 14-0.

“We broke down so many films on Kareem Lucas,” Anzar head coach Luis Espinosa said. “Trying to stop him was our main goal. He’s a phenomenal kid.”

Anzar cut the deficit to eight points on its ensuing possession, traveling 53 yards on five plays, aided by a 37-yard completion from quarterback Jeremy Cedeno to Reno May, and capped by Modic’s plunge across the goal line.

“Just to get that ball, see it open up – it was a culmination of what we were working for the last few months,” Modic said. “I’m honored to have that chance.”

Each team had a drive stall on the others’ side of midfield as time ticked down toward halftime. Anchorpoint, though, had the ball with 32 seconds before the break and took advantage of a pass interference call, scoring two plays later when Lucas found Austin Keathley open on a corner route for a 2-yard touchdown and a 22-6 lead.

The Hawks needed just three plays into the third quarter to pull within one score as Cedeno (5-for-8, 60 yards) and May again hooked up for a big play, this time a 15-yard scoring strike.

“It was a lot better tonight being able to mix up the play calls,” Cedeno said. “We had them guessing what we were going to run and that gave us a little respect.”

The Warriors expanded the advantage back to two scores in four plays with Lucas, this time lined up at running back, scampering 29 yards to pay dirt to make it 30-14 after a converted 2-point play.

Jesse Jimenez, who carried the ball 17 times for 93 yards, shouldered the load on the Hawks’ next set of downs, rushing the ball three times – the third an 8-yard touchdown to bring Anzar back within one score.

On the Warriors’ next offensive play, however, Lucas hit Steven Hunter for a long-distance 52-yard touchdown at a 38-22 cushion.

“Once we get back into the film room we will work on what we need to,” Lucas said.

Cedeno scurried in on a 7-yard quarterback keeper with 1:16 left in the fourth quarter, but by then the Warriors were out of reach.

“We have a bunch of new players so we are still trying to figure things out,” Hunter said. “We practiced defense all week because it isn’t our strong point yet. But this was a good game for us.”

The Warriors totaled 303 yards of offense while the Hawks gained 203. Damien Stowbueneko had and interception, and Miguel Madrigal and Joseph Banuelos had sacks for the Hawks.

“These guys have a big crowd, big entertainment, big excitement and I remember our first year like that. I’m absolutely proud of what coach is doing over there. He’s doing a great job,” Adams said of the Hawks. “They are good, they’re firm and they are consistent. And I love the fact they we have a rivalry with Anzar.”

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By: Josh Weaver sports editor for the Gilroy Dispatch

It’s a numbers game for the Anchorpoint Christian Warriors 8-man football team. And this season, the numbers are adding up.

Twenty-two players reported to the opening day of camp, nearly double the amount who suited up last season, giving head coach KC Adams a bit more leeway in how he runs his practices.

With the team’s reputation for winning and Adams’ coaching prowess becoming more recognizable, the Warriors are ranked No. 2 in the state in preseason polls, Adams said.

“Teams down in L.A. want to play us now, whereas before they wouldn’t call,” Adams said.

With just seven seniors on the roster, three of which saw significant playing time last season, the youthful Warriors potential is, “scary.”

“We didn’t rebuild, we reloaded,” Adams said.

– Extra focus has been paid to the defensive side of the ball. Wanting to avoid high-scoring, back-and-forth contests, Adams and assistant coach Marlowe Brinson have been diligent in establishing a strong starting eight.

“If we really do what I think we can do, this defense is nasty,” Adams boasted.

– The departure of two-year starting quarterback Josh Ignagni, the signal calling duties have been handed over to senior Samuel Apolinar.

“He has great concentration and knows the offense,” Adams said.

– Junior Matt Garay will serve as the team’s backup QB and will most likely see time under center during ball games.