GILROY – As it has done in every game this season, the
Anchorpoint Christian 8-man football team jumped out to a big first
half lead and didn’t slow up, exploding for a 34-6 halftime
advantage over Lighthouse Christian.
When the final horn sounded the damage was a 56-6 triumph
Saturday in Gilroy, moving the Warriors to 6-0 heading into a
string of three straight league games.
GILROY – As it has done in every game this season, the Anchorpoint Christian 8-man football team jumped out to a big first half lead and didn’t slow up, exploding for a 34-6 halftime advantage over Lighthouse Christian.
When the final horn sounded the damage was a 56-6 triumph Saturday in Gilroy, moving the Warriors to 6-0 heading into a string of three straight league games.
“The next three games will determine our season,” head coach KC Adams said. “It is a really competitive league and it is a lot more balanced than it has been the last few years.”
The Warriors, who are the 11th-ranked 8-man squad in the state, according to maxpreps.com, welcomed back the services of their starting quarterback, Josh Ignagni, who returned to his usual role after missing some time battling a couple injuries, Adams said.
“I am happy that they are all healthy,” said Adams, who is always looking for areas in which to improve. “We are starting to click, but we are not quite there. We have to get better. To get respect and even considered for the playoffs you have to win league and go undefeated.”
The Warriors did most of their work on offense via the ground, but Ignagni was efficient when called on to throw the ball, hitting 4-of-6 for 128 yards and three touchdowns.
Ignagni also had three interceptions from his safety position.
“We are a different team with him out there,” Adams said. “We play at a different level.”
Six-foot-2 sophomore running back, Kareem Lucas also returned to the Anchorpoint lineup and proceeded to tear up the turf for 171 yards on 12 carries, including a 47-yard scamper and a 40-yard jaunt for touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Lucas totalled three scores in the final quarter, as the Warriors pounded away at a fatigued Guardians defense.
Senior Josh Marozick galloped for 43 yards on eight touches and bulldozed his way into the end zone from eight yards out to put the Warriors up 34-0 midway through the second quarter.
Jacob Brendle, Igangni’s favorite target through the air, was the beneficiary of all four of Ignagni’s passes. Brendle also reeled off a 47-yard punt return in the fourth quarter.
As usual the defense was stingy. The Warriors unit has surrendered a mere 38 points in its six games, which includes two shut outs and three straight games of allowing just six points in each effort.
Brendle led the way Saturday with nine tackles. Joshua Masteroieni had six tackles and a sack for the Warriors.
Up next for the Warriors is a visit to Los Altos Hills for a matchup against Pinewood School.
The Panthers are 5-1 this season with their lone loss coming against Crystal Springs Uplands – a team the Warriors will face in three weeks.
“If we win next week, now we are on to something,” Adams said. “We will be onto something special then.”
