At the McKinney high soccer tournament last weekend, senior Derrick Horvath was cleared to return for his first game of play in almost six months.

After his first time back on the field, Horvath found he has a lot of progress to make.

“It was nice to finally be able to play again, but I was a little disappointed because I’m still pretty far from being as good as I used to be,” Horvath said.

Horvath has been on varsity since his freshman year and has never been seriously injured until he tore his ACL.

When asked how long he had been playing soccer Horvath said, “as long as I can remember.”

ACL tears are a common injury in the Horvath household, beginning with Derrick’s parents.

“I was hoping it wasn’t my ACL since my brother tore both of his and both of my parents each tore one.” Horvath said.

Rehabilitation involved physical therapy several times a week for 24 weeks. Regardless of the doctors expectations or the pain, Horvath plans to be at the same place as he was last year.

“Hopefully ill be right where I was before too long,” Horvath said.

by JT Hawkins 

photo by Shelby Tauber