Anderson County wins battle of unbeatens
Posted by Mike Fields on October 26, 2007
An endangered species in football for 10 years, the Anderson County Bearcats are alive and kicking and on the prowl for an undefeated regular season.
“It’s unbelievable,” Coach Mark Peach said after Anderson County upset previously unbeaten Marion County 21-19 last night.
“It’s amazing,” said senior lineman Steve Heilman. “The mindset is completely different now. We come out and expect to win.”
When Peach took over as coach three seasons ago, the Bearcats’ program was going nowhere.
Last season it had its first winning record in seven years.
Now Anderson County is 9-0 and on the brink of its first unbeaten regular season since 1986, when Peach was a sophomore lineman.
The Bearcats can go 10-0 with a win over Western Hills next week.
“That really would be special,” Peach said. “For our kids and our community, it’s not often you can say you played on a team that was perfect in the regular season.”
Anderson County’s schedule hasn’t been all that challenging, but it’s had to beat good competition the last couple weeks.
Last Friday it held off Oldham County to win its first district title in 35 years.
And last night the Bearcats were decided underdogs to a strong, talented Marion County team that featured a punishing ground game.
But the home team treated its fans to another memorable night of football.
Led by sophomore quarterback Jacob Russell, Anderson County overcame an early 6-0 deficit to take a 21-6 lead. The Bearcats then held on for dear life, with their defense clinching the victory.
“This one right here shows we’re legit,” Heilman said. “We’re all heart and never give up.”
The Bearcats also know how to perform in the clutch. They converted on three crucial fourth downs.
Russell hit Kendrick Harvey (shown above following the block of B.J. Robinson in photo by Charles Bertram) with a 31-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-six to tie the game late in the first quarter, and led 7-6 after Netanel Gonzalez’s extra point.
Anderson County twice converted on fourth down on a 62-yard, 13-play drive that culminated in Harvey’s 3-yard TD run and put the Bearcats ahead 14-6.
They stretched their lead to 21-6 in the third quarter, capitalizing on a Marion County fumble with Ben Walker’s short scoring run.
Marion County made it an exciting finish, though.
The Knights’ Mitchell Lancaster caught a 26-yard TD pass from Eric Miles to close the gap to 21-12. Midway through the fourth quarter Marion County blocked an Anderson County field goal attempt, and Cody Peterson returned it to the Bearcats’ 20. Four plays later, the Knights scored on Jake Thompson’s second TD of the night. That made it 21-19.
The visitors got the ball one more time, with just under two minutes left. But Anderson County’s defense shut them down.
Russell threw for 143 yards and a TD. Russell, B.J. Robinson and Ben Walker provided a good-enough ground game.
Marion County was led by Elliot Hazelwood’s 109 yards rushing, and Thompson’s 80.
But the Knights couldn’t spoil what has been a dream season for Anderson County.
“Our seniors are the guys who set the tone for this turnaround with their positive attitude and work ethic,” Peach said. “Now it shows in the heart and fight of our team.”
Anderson County will play host to South Oldham in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs on Nov. 9.
Marion County, which finishes the regular season against unbeaten Green County next week, will face LaRue County in the opening round of the 3A playoffs.
