Both Wildcat touchdowns in the third quarter were the result of Zorn hitting Roland for TD passes. Each touchdown was capped off by successful two point conversions, attempts in which Zorn seemingly willed his way into the end zone after being met at the 1-yard line on both attempts.

“Both two point attempts were actually designed as pass plays,” explains Zorn. “I just couldn’t find an open man, so I tucked it and ran. They were a real physical defense, but I just lowered my shoulders and punched it in.”

After 16 unanswered Wildcat points, and with the score knotted at 39-39, the Wildcats clearly had the momentum in their favor. It was a new ballgame.

Out on the fence along Church Road, fans began lining the perimeter of the field.

Clearly people were getting news of the battle unfolding at the Boneyard and wanted to catch a glimpse of history in the making.

The fourth quarter would prove to be an emotional rollercoaster for both Wildcat and Lion fans alike.

The Lions appeared to be regaining their form on offense in the final quarter, as they proceeded to march 80 yards down the field in 12 plays.

On a critical fourth-and-one play from the 'Cats 3-yard line, the Wildcats would let the Lions regain the lead when running back Kedrick Chancellor punched it in.

With the Lions now leading 46-39, and just under 8 minutes left on the clock, the ‘Cats needed an answer.

Unfortunately, the next offensive series wasn’t the answer the ‘Cats were looking for. The drive stalled out at mid-field and ended with a failed fake punt attempt.

With five minutes left on the clock, the ‘Cats defense went to work in hopes of giving Zorn and Company on another shot.

Five plays later, the Lions trotted out the field goal team after the 'Cats defense held serve. With the home crowd on their feet, Lions kicker Julian Varona cracked under the pressure and failed to all but put the game away.

With just 2:29 remaining, and a touchdown needed to tie the game, the ‘Cats offense got the ball on their own 20-yard line. The play of the year was about to unfold.

Zorn took the snap on a designed passing play but was pressured from behind and forced out of the pocket. Zorn darted out of the pocket, cut back across the field and saw daylight down the Lion’s sideline. Junior wide receiver, Deondre Glover, provided a critical block near the goal line, freeing up Zorn to score on the 80-yard touchdown run.

The TD would prove to be Ricky’s last as a Wildcat and will likely go down as the greatest effort of his high school career.

Dann made the extra point to tie the game and with just 2:13 remaining, the Lions offense took the field with a shot to win the game.

The Lions senior quarterback would deliver a crushing blow on the next play. Johnson answered Zorn's run with a 61-yarder of his own. David Green had the angle and forced Johnson out at the Wildcat 20 yard line. Four plays later, the Lions would score, taking the lead for good.

With just under a minute remaining, the Wildcat offense took the field for the last time in the 2009 campaign. The come from behind win was not to be.

After the fans departed, bands stopped playing and the scoreboard dimmed, I happened to be standing with Coach Smith at the door of the locker room when the last Wildcat player walked off the field.

Ricky Zorn and his good friend, Wil Matthews, were clearly soaking in the moment. Wil said his piece then passed Zorn the Wildcat flag to carry the rest of the way back to the field house.

Coach Smith embraced Ricky at the door of the locker room and in an almost apologetic tone said, “Tough way to lose the game, Rick.”

“If we were going to lose, I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Ricky replied. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”

For more photos from the Region II playoff battle, click here.

Photos (below left) Ricky Zorn on the 80-yard touchdown run and (below right) the final scoreboard.