Lake Highlands High School - Wildcat Yearbook (Dallas, TX)

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he 1981 football season was a dream come true for forty-one above average Lake Highlands' athletes and their ten coaches. The year began with three non-district preseason games. With a 23-0 defeat over W.T. White, the Cats were well on their way to becoming State Champions. The Tigers of Irving also proved to be no com- petition forthe state bound team, as they were victorious was against the other wildcats from Plano. School spirit was shown not only at therally, but also at the game. Neal Ashley stated There has always been anticipation for the Plano game, but it seemed that teams in the past had been intimidated by the myth. With the enthusiasm of the students, we knew that there was no way we could let them down. Outstanding players in the game were junior Aaron Grant, a defensive back, and State Cham ions The championship season started eargas the Cats romped their way through an undefeated season with a score of 39-20. Cross town rival Bryan Adams was brought to its knees as the Wildcats demolished the cougars by a score of 46-O. Although the preseason proved to be extremely suc- cessful, it seemed the LH Wild- cats had met their match as they narrowly defeated the Berkner Hams 10-9. The Fiams led the entire game, but the Cats came back to score a touchdown in the last two minutes of the game. The second district game a' Lining Up Coach Joe Bob Johnson supervises as the Wlldcat team goes through warm-up exer- clses before the game against the Grand Pralrle Gophers at Texas Stadium. Worried Pacing Due to a knee injury early In the season , senlor Tommy Hood spent most of the team's Championship games pacing the sldellnes. Tommy always wore his Wildcat d tch d th me Ith jersey, an wa e e ga w as much energy as his running teammates. linebacker Evan Gatewood. The final score was 16-7 and this vic- tory made Lake Highlands only the second team inthe district to defeat Plano. Following the emotion filled game against Plano, the team suffered a mental let down, and narrowly defeated the Trojans of Newman-Smith by a score of 14- 7. The next three games were reminiscent of the preseason victories, as LH tore through Homecoming guest, the Richar- dson Eagles, 38-0. tcontlnued on page 14, We Did It! Students crowd on- to the field, arms raised ln salute to the Lake Highlan- ds' flag, as they prepare to slng the Alma Mater after the Wildcats won the Styate Cham- pionship game, Aftermath After the Cats' astounding victory over the Houston Yates Lions for the state 5A Cham- pionship, Coach Joe Bob Johnson gives reporters and emotional overview of the game. Varsity Football

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ff, ,ef 3 . 3 1 s I 'lf 1 'A ' 4 : I - f . 1 -V , Q x A V. ' .,,.. 1 Q ' .., Varsity Football, FRONT ROW: Coaches John Hacker, Gary Monty, BIII Perslnger, Joe Bob Johnson, Leonard Carey, Bobby Burns, Jay Hlgglns, Jerry Gayden, Lemon Boyd, Bob Iden,SECOND ROW: Thomas Jefferson, Carl Rich, Charley Boyd, Steve Hurst, John Abbot, Phll Carnegie, Tommy Hood, John Leonard, Harry Everett, THIRD ROW: Brent Morrle-tralner, Davld Flrra, Chrls McDavId, Tom Lenz, Steve Peck, John McMurray, Kevln Cabanlss, Steve Klnney, Nell Ashley, FOURTH ROW: Tony Llsclo, Jay Allen, Alvln Rettlg, John Zlkoe, Mlke Kay, Bobby Klnder, Mack Stldom, Brlan Pelt-tralner, FIFTH ROW: Dan- ny Burgess, Todd Tshchantz, Scott Johnson, Wln- dell Yancy, Gregg Abbey, Chrls Bush, Aaron Grant, Erlc Whltted, BACK ROW: Steve Byrd, Evan Gatevvood, Ted Koplnskl, Rodney Beecham, Mark Graham, Wade IVIcKasson, John Goelee, Gary Wllllams, Don Brown. Rl In Flrgnr up? the Wlldcat Iootball team returns to the lleld alter halttlme at the Grand Pralrle game In Texas tadlum. - Plc , 0 K I ll1 .Q I L S ',, 1 , f Q6 . ,A-- xNQ'7 'h-.Mu .a,.-,..,,, XL ffl Varsity Football OPPONENT TH 16 Pearce 6 NON DISTRICT BI-DISTRICT PLAYOFF W.T. White 0 17 John Tyler 14 ,,,, Irving 20 REGIONAL PLAYOFF J, Bryan A ams O 10 Temple 7 ,af DISTRICT QUARTERFINAL PLAYOFF Berkner 9 28 Grand Prarie 21 Plano 7 SEMI-FINAL PLAYOFF Newman-Smith 7 10 Hereford 7 Richardson 0 STATE FINALS R.L. Turner 0 19 Houston Yates Greenville O Dlstrlct Record 7-0 Season Record 15-0 DlstrIct13AAAAA Champions AAAAA State Champions Varslty Football I

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Killer Speed Showing the speed that made hlm 13- AAAAA 100 meter champ, Thomas Jefferson outruns the Gopher defen- se ln the playoff game. Alma Mater The Lake HIghland's football team, cheerleaders and mascot, along with fans, pay tribute to our school flag whlle slnglng our Alma Mater after vlctory over the Grand Pralrle Gophers Getting Hls Kicks Whlle senlor Steve Hurst holds the ball, Todd Tschantz, senlor, prepares to klck one of his four fleld goals ln the State game against Yates. Todd broke the record for most fleld goals In a season. This Is It ,-guys! Coach Joe Bob ohnson raises morale In his champlonshlp materlal team after a regular season game. ii' i fter the defeat over the Eagles, the Cats also crushed the Ft.L. Turner Lions by the same score of 38-0. Continuing their winning streak, the Cats traveled to Greenville and left with another victory. At this point in the season, senior Alvin Fiettig became known as one of the better run- ning backs in the state. Flettig was quick to give credit to the offensive line. The line scored enough points to win 16- 6. Riding the crest of an un- defeated season, the Wildcats traveled to Texas Stadium to play the John Tyler Lions. The Cats were highly favored to win before the game, and two touchdowns ln the first quarter proved this to be a valid assum- ption. Although the Cats were leading after the first quarter, the Lions came back during the second quarter and tied the I State Cham ions The Cats made believers out of ten rjgular season foes before entering the state playoff picture V8fSlYy Football blocked great all year and they made it possible for the yards I gained. Phillip Carnegis, Tony Liscio, Danny Burgess, Evan Gatewood, Ted Kopinski, Mark Graham, and Mack Stidom, made up the 1981 offensive line. The Pearce Mustangs entered Wildcat-Flam Stadium for the district showdown. Although the Mustangs had depended on Mike Korbuly, the LH defense led by seniors John Abbott and Rodney Beachum held him to only 31 yards, while the offense game 14-14. With 2:46 left inthe game, kicker Todd Tchantz came onto the field to attempt a 47 yard field goal. Everyone in the stadium was on their feet as the ball was snapped, the kick was high and long enough to give Lake Higlands a 17-14 vic- tory overthe Lions. The Wildcats traveled to Waco for the second playoff game against the Temple Wildcats. Although Temple was the first team to score with afield goal, LH went on to win 7-3. lcontlnued on page 171