It was not too long ago that Kentucky’s Anderson County High School football team had little problem lining up opponents.
In head coach Mark Peach’s first season, the Bearcats went 1-9, and teams from all over the Commonwealth were interested in playing Anderson County, even if it meant traveling to the school in Lawrenceburg.
“We were the butt of a lot of jokes around school. I think anybody in any endeavor is looking for hope, and we didn’t have a lot of hope,” Peach said.
Now entering his fifth season at the helm, Peach fondly remembers that first one while also enjoying that he now is getting the last laugh on many of those opponents.
Back Home
While he has coached at several high schools, Peach is no stranger to Anderson County, and he knows what it means to don the “A” on the side of a helmet.
Peach experienced success as a lineman for the Bearcats. In 1986, he was a member of the team’s 10-0 season.
“I am from Anderson County, and I love it. This is home, and it means a lot to be coaching here,” said Peach, who played for Kentucky Hall of Famer Sam Harp.
While Peach was a standout at Anderson County, it took him a few years to return home, as he coached at Dunbar High School and Campbellsville College along the way.
“This business is funny in that different opportunities present themselves at different times,” Peach said. “It’s all about timing. Campbellsville didn’t work out, and this was an opportunity to return home. The timing was right. My family and I had jumped around quite a bit, and I needed to stay somewhere longer than two years.”
Restoring Pride
When Peach left Anderson County as a player, the Bearcats were among the best programs in Kentucky. But all that changed. In a seven-year span, the Bearcats were a dismal 7-44, a challenge Peach welcomed.
“It took a while to change the mindset and compete,” Peach said.
In his first season, Anderson County went 1-9, giving Peach lasting, if not always pleasant, memories.
“We looked for any way to extend a drive, try to pick up a first down or run some time off the clock. It was a big deal when we made a first down,” Peach said.
”I’ll never forget we were playing Lexington Catholic in our final game. We went 14 plays in six minutes and were facing a fourth-and-goal from the 8-yard line. We had only one all-state player on that team, and he was our kicker. I decided to go for the points and we kicked it. They blocked it and ran it back 92 yards.
"It’s moments like that you remember.”
Peach was laughing at the time.
In his second season, Peach guided the Bearcats to their first winning season in years, and it should have been a sign of things to come for Anderson County.
“It took a while for the kids to buy into our weight program. Our job as coaches is to try and make our kids better and that includes making them bigger, stronger and faster in the weight room,” Peach said.
The Payoff
Entering his third season in 2007, Peach had a good feeling about his team. That proved to be correct as Anderson County started 10-0 en route to claiming its first district title in 35 seasons (Anderson County finished 11-1).
“That was special. We had four games or so that went down to the while. That team had seniors that started as freshmen and sophomores when we arrived,” Peach said.
Peach attributes several factors to the turnaround his program has experienced, beginning with those who join him on the sidelines.
“There are four of us who have been here since day one,” Peach said.
In addition to Peach, defensive line and special teams coordinator Kevin Ray, offensive line coach Travis Gay and defensive coordinator Dwayne Hammonds have been with the Bearcats for five years.
“That has helped tremendously, and our kids have benefited from it,” Peach said.
Last season, the Bearcats went 6-5 and finished second in the district.
What’s the secret to the program’s ascension back to a winning one? Peach acknowledges there is no “secret formula.”
“I am a big Lou Holtz guy and he preaches dedication, hard work and perseverance. Those things usually pay off more than they lose. Once our kids saw we were serious about turning the corner, they became serious,” Peach said.
Peach remains quick to put it all in perspective, saying there is plenty of work left to be done.
“We have not arrived yet,” he said. “Am I surprised? Yes and no. I am surprised when you look back at where we started, but I am not surprised because we have great people who make this possible. That is a key ingredient in being successful.
“Our goal is to be the very best and to do that, you have to win the district. This is only the second time in 60 years we have been to the playoffs in back-to-back years and won a game. I want to play for a region title, and I am excited about this season,” Peach said.
Will The Winning Ways Continue?
While Anderson County has several holes to fill this season, the Bearcats bring back dangerous weapons in quarterback Jacob Russell and wide receiver Grant Cox.
Russell, a senior, has started since midway through his freshman season and owns every passing record in school history. As a junior, he threw for more than 2,200 yards and 29 touchdowns. And Cox has set numerous receiving records.
In addition, the Bearcats bring back their top three offensive linemen, according to Peach. However, it is Russell and his ability that has everyone taking stock of the Bearcats.
“Outside of his physical size, the thing that makes Jacob special is his mind,” Peach said. “He really gets it. Our off day is Sunday, and his idea of fun is watching an NFL game and writing down every play and then coming to me on Monday and asking me what my thoughts are. He studies film every night, and he just has a great work ethic. He’s always looking for extra workouts.
“He made the comment recently that he’s won a region title in baseball, we’ve got one in basketball and we need to win one in football. I told him I was all for that. That’s what type of competitor he is,” Peach said.
Paul Gable is the Senior Prep Writer for football.com. Check out football.com. for NCAA football and NFL coverage.
