‘This was a perfect fit.’ Pulaski County shows promise under new leadership

A renaissance is afoot in southern Kentucky.

Pulaski County High School’s football program had fallen on tough times after a period of greatness more often displayed by perennial juggernauts like Boyle County. The Maroons from 2013-16 made four straight Class 5A state title games, becoming one of just 10 schools to manage that feat. They won it all in 2014.

But since 2018, when Pulaski won its most recent region title, the Maroons (2-0) have made just one appearance beyond the second round of the postseason. That came last year under then-rookie head coach Travis Burns, who took the reins following the resignation of John Hines, who’d been in charge for 25 seasons.

Early returns suggest they have a group that can make it back and maybe go further. The Maroons on Saturday defeated Bryan Station 49-27 in the first game of a Rebel Bowl doubleheader at Boyle County. It was their second straight convincing victory over a Class 6A team to open the season — they won at Henderson County 44-21 on Aug. 23 — and they’ll try for a third when they go to North Hardin this Friday.

Their first home game is no gimme: It’s against Corbin (2-0), a consistent contender in Class 4A, on Sept. 12. They’ll then travel to Johnson Central (2-0), another Class 4A stalwart, on Sept. 19 before hosting South Warren, a newcomer to Class 6A that was among the finest programs in 5A.

You’d be hard-pressed to identify a single cupcake on Pulaski County’s schedule.

“We expect, Thanksgiving weekend, to be playing in the state semifinals for a chance to go to Kroger Field,” Burns said. “That’s always been my expectation. I’ve not known much different. People shy away from high expectations, and this community hasn’t done that. We have high expectations for the coaching staff and the players, and the community has high expectations for the program. Pressure is privilege.”

The ‘perfect fit’ at Pulaski County

Burns was a star linebacker at South Laurel and signed with Eastern Kentucky University out of high school. After graduating from EKU in 2015, he coached linebackers for a season at George Rogers Clark. The Cardinals went 0-11.

“I was like, ‘Man, do I really wanna do this?’” Burns said with a laugh. “I got lucky. On that same staff there was a Boyle County guy that put me in touch with Coach (Chuck) Smith. He hired me and the rest is history.”

Smith, who in the 1990s built Boyle County into one of the Kentucky’s premier football programs, hired Burns to coach special teams. Two years after coaching for an 0-11 team, he was part of a state title run.

Justin Haddix, who succeeded Smith after his retirement following the 2019 season, kept Burns on his staff. By the end of a run with Haddix that saw the Rebels win four straight championships, Burns ran one of the best defensive units in the state.

He’d considered other coaching opportunities throughout his eight-year tenure at Boyle County, but in Burns’ mind none were worth leaving behind the Rebels until Hines resigned in late December 2023. Pulaski County introduced Burns as its head coach about a month later.

“It’s about the right fit,” Burns said. “Will they mix well with you and your coaching style and how I am? The reason I took the Pulaski County job is Coach Hines and everybody before me left a great foundation. I tell people it wasn’t really me building a foundation. I’m just putting the train back on the tracks. This was a perfect fit.”

‘People are excited again’

Pulaski County went 4-8 in Hines’ final season, capped by a lopsided defeat to cross-county rival Southwestern in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs, its second loss to the Warriors in less than a month.

The Maroons last year finished 8-5 and swept their district foes, Southwestern among them. Three of those losses were close calls to strong teams, including a 28-27 decision versus eventual Class 2A champ Beechwood. Highlands, in the midst of a resurgence itself, ended their season in the region finals, 42-18.

Zak Anderson, Pulaski County’s senior quarterback, can feel the vibe change around Somerset following that campaign.

“I was in a store buying gear for this game and a guy working there, he played for the state championship game and was telling me about that,” Anderson said. “People are excited again.”

After a meager individual performance in Pulaski’s opener — he was 10 of 17 for 122 yards with two interceptions and a touchdown — Anderson was nearly perfect against Bryan Station (0-2). He completed 15 of 17 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns without a pick, and added a rushing TD.

One of his TD throws went to Winston Ford, who finished with 95 yards on seven catches. Ford also rushed for the game’s final TD with 1:21 to play; it capped a 21-0 fourth quarter that broke open what had been a competitive affair.

“I think we can go and win it all if we really put our minds to it,” Ford said.

Challengers aplenty await the Maroons, now 2-0 for the first time in three years. The vibes could shift within a month, but right now their stock is rising. Tough times are falling further behind them.

“The community wants a winner,” Burns said. “They want somebody who’s gonna come in here and coach their young men at a high standard and a high level. And they support the program. You can see it right now: We have tons of fans here and they have embraced me.

“They were ready for something new and a different philosophy.”