While some of last year's inaugural 8-man football squad at Anchorpoint Christian had never donned a pair of shoulder pads and a helmet, this year's team is far more familiar to the gear required to take the gridiron. Of course, last year's team may have been short on experience in some cases but made up for it with some serious talent and effort.

Going undefeated in the Coastal Athletic League and posting a 6-2 overall record, the Warriors showed the rest of California's 8-man teams that it will soon be a force to be reckoned with. The future could be now, though, according to coach K.C. Adams.

"They're determined to develop into a ministry," Adams said at practice Tuesday. "They want to hit you as hard as they love you."

The private christian school may be small on numbers, but it doesn't lack talented athletes.

"We don't have size, but we got heart," said Brian Orr, the Warriors' running back and safety.

Added Christian McCrimmon, a wide receiver and cornerback, "We lost a couple of our good players (from last year), but we gained a little, too."

Taking part in a five-team jamboree last Saturday, Anchorpoint wowed a crowd of a couple hundred by executing on offense and stifling opponents on defense. In 8-man football, an offensive line has four blockers, with one being an eligible receiver like a tight end. Four other players occupy the skill positions.

What seems likely to make the team a success again in 2008 is the unselfishness amongst players.

"Wherever I can contribute is where I want to be," said quarterback/running back/middle linebacker Josh Ignagni. "If I have to play line, I'll play line."

Adams and his coaching staff have worked tirelessly this offseason to develop their athletes, dedicating more time to the weight room and film study. To continue to making improvements towards becoming one of the best 8-man teams in the state, though, an unflattering assessment is always needed. Any extra motivation could mean a yard in a game of inches, and the first game is only eight days away.

"It's good, but it's not good," Adams said of his team's play at the recent jamboree. "It's not where it needs to be. We need to get better. The teams that we play the next four weeks are really good."

Anchorpoint will take the field under lights for the first time at 7 p.m. on Sept. 13 against Bethel Christian.

"Our big thing is getting guys to execute plays," Adams said. "Last year was just learning to put the pads on."

The coach then added with a smile, "We're going to be good."