The 2009 campaign was a memorable one for the Wildcat football team.

While the team didn’t repeat as district champs, the season left a lasting impression on many fans. Fans will remember the last game at the Boneyard as an epic game for the ages.

It will always be easy to look back and think of what could have been. A couple plays here and there may have made a big difference in not only repeating as district champs, but also making a deep run in the playoffs.

However, if you look at the 2009 All-District team and think about what could have been, you simply aren’t paying attention.

A program is being built in Lake Highlands, one that we can all be proud of.

Just like the 2008 squad, the 2009 Wildcats locked in another piece of the puzzle; laid another brick on the foundation that Coach Smith and his staff are building.

I caught up with Coach Smith and asked him about the Wildcat’s 17 All-District players.

“We are obviously very excited about the kids who were nominated and awarded a spot on the all-district team this year,” says Smith. “As a program, we're doing some good things here.”

“The kids getting recognition is awesome, but each and every player that is listed on the All-District team represents the entire program,” continues Smith. “They represent the team as a whole. They represent the ones who didn’t get the awards, and they’d probably be the first to tell you that.”

Ricky Zorn took home top honors as District Co-MVP. Zorn finished the season with 2,700 total yards (1,120 rushing, 1,580 passing) and accounted for 30 TD’s.

“It’s an honor,” Zorn said of his award. “It’s an honor to have been selected by the coaches, and it means a lot to me, but I couldn’t have done it without all my teammates. It’s really their award.”

We asked Zorn what he’ll remember most about his career at Lake Highlands. “It’s the relationships with my teammates and coaches that I’ll always remember first,” he said.

Among the 10 underclassmen recognized as All-District players this year was junior offensive lineman, Scott Hanks.

“There’s some really good lineman in the district, so it’s an honor for me to have been selected,” Hanks said. “With my injury this year, I didn’t know if I’d make the cut, but I’m excited to have been chosen on the first team.”

District 9-5A All-District Football Team:

Co-Most Valuable Players: Ricky Zorn, QB, Sr., Lake Highlands/Javia Hall, QB, Sr., Skyline

Defensive Player of Year: Corey Nelson, LB, Sr., Skyline

Offensive Player of Year: Mike Davis, WR, Sr., Skyline

Special Teams Player of Year: Zach Olen, K/P, Sr., Berkner

Offensive Newcomer of Year: Marlon Brown, Soph., OL Skyline

Defensive Newcomer of Year: Bobby Kennedy, DB, Soph., Creekview

Coach of the Year: Reggie Samples, Dallas Skyline