Modesto QB Club receives encouraging news about longtime advocate Finch

Even at 80, six decades after he was nearly left for dead in the wreckage of an airplane crash, Don Adams inspires hope.

He is a ray of light, a galvanizing force in a room full of football rivals.

The former Hughson and Modesto high school football coach is a regular face at the weekly Modesto QB Club meetings, his presence accentuated with a wide grin and an open hand.

On Monday afternoon, that hand was occupied.

Shorty after the meeting began, Adams stepped toward the head table at Coach’s Corner, where nine of the area’s coaches dined on salad and pasta. He fanned compliments and a generous check in each of their directions, from Modesto’s Donnie Wallace to Central Catholic’s Roger Canepa.

Adams made the donation in honor of a dear friend, one in need of hope – more hope than even Adams could provide.

Karl Finch was hospitalized Aug. 22 after suffering a severe stroke. Finch is a Modesto Junior College Hall of Famer, former Modesto High coach and another longtime advocate of the QB Club.

Adams visited Finch for about 25 minutes Thursday at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley. He found Finch unresponsive – like “ice,” he told the captivated crowd – and paralyzed on his right side.

That didn’t deter Adams, but then again, what does?

Adams survived a 1960 plane crash that killed 16 of his Cal Poly teammates. Upon first inspection, Adams was identified as a 17th victim.

“I bled so much, they said I was dead,” Adams told the Los Angeles Times. “Then someone double-checked me and said, ‘No, there’s something there.’ I remember hot hands on me and the doctors saying, ‘He won’t live to morning.’ That’s in my subconscious somewhere.”

Today, he worries more about the health of another.

Adams said he shared with Finch news of the season’s first QB Club meeting. How the room was full of hearty – and hungry – fans. How the coaches, often pitted against one another, seemed to genuinely support one another.

“What we wanted has been achieved,” Adams told Finch.

With that, Adams said Finch’s eyes began to flutter and then opened. Though the ailing ex-coach didn’t speak or move, that small movement meant he was responsive.

That was enough for Adams and the rest of the QB Club, who spent the first few minutes of their luncheon honoring Finch. Beyer coach Doug Severe led the group in a prayer.

“He’s better today than he was (Thursday),” Adams said. “He’s still got a long way to go, but he’s willing to fight.”

Modesto-Stagg still a ‘go’ – Modesto athletic director and first-year coach Wallace confirmed Friday’s nonleague game at Stagg in Stockton will go ahead as scheduled.

Stagg’s season opener Friday against crosstown rival Lincoln was called at halftime with the Delta Kings trailing 29-0 after panic swept through the stands because of rumors that some sort of weapon had been brandished as the teams exited the field. Several fans leaped fences to escape the stadium.

“I just think some people overreacted (Friday) night,” Stagg coach Don Norton told The Record of Stockton. “They didn’t have the facts and they just overreacted. We should’ve played the second half. It’s a black eye on Stagg and I don’t think Stagg deserves any kind of black eye on that.”

As of now, Modesto (1-0) is keeping its travel plans.

“As of right now, we’re a go for junior varsity and varsity,” he said.

MJC kickoff dinner – Modesto Junior College football coach Rusty Stivers said the inaugural kickoff dinner raised about $15,000 for the program. ... The Pirates introduced new technology during Thursday’s Blue/White scrimmage. Stivers said a drone filmed the scrimmage. The first-year coach hopes to film a game this season with the drone, but needs to find a willing partner. ... Modesto JC opens its season Saturday at home against American River College, ranked No. 11 nationally.

Meet the Raiders – Central Catholic was the featured guest at Monday’s meeting. Canepa brought seven players: lineman Javier Canela; fullback Montell Bland; running back Justin Rice; linebackers Austin Escobar and Kekupa’a Freehauf; wide receiver Josh Frowein; and quarterback Hunter Petlansky.

Holiday schedule –Next week’s Modesto QB Club meeting will be held Tuesday at noon at the Coach’s Corner because of Labor Day. The featured guest will be Johansen coach Grant Genasci.

This story was originally published August 31, 2015 at 6:56 PM with the headline "Modesto QB Club receives encouraging news about longtime advocate Finch."