The Checotah Wildcats are coming off a 7-4 2023 season in which they made the playoffs under head coach Zac Ross. After a bye-week, the Wildcats are ready to get back on the football field.
Checotah has a solid group coming back including Oklahoma Sooners commit receiver/ cornerback Elijah Thomas. (6’2”, 190 lbs.) Ross and his staff have developed a well-balanced philosophy that has the Wildcats ranked No.10 in Class 3A by Vype Magazine and are sitting at 2-1 overall this season.
The Wildcat offense will be focused around Elijah Thomas who had 20 touchdowns and 1,982 receiving yards. Thomas’ strength, speed and natural athleticism sets him apart from other receivers. The ground attack is solid as Ross has a great group of running backs with Preston Cannon and Jayden Ellen who both made the regional relay team in track. Both are fast, powerful and have the ability to make catches out of the backfield.
Checotah has 17 great freshman players on this team with quarterback Cole Roland winning the starting position. Roland has a rocket for an arm and great vision. He has big targets to throw to in Thomas, tight end Brian Love (6’6”, 220 lbs.), Jayden Lake (5’10”, 180lbs) and others.
Roland has been lighting up defenses with his passing this season and looks to continue against Locust Grove.
The offensive line is well anchored by senior Dylan Robinson (5’11”, 220 lbs.), Arthur Hall (5’9”, 350 lbs.), Bryce Marshall (6’1”, 245 lbs.) and Jason Hamby. (6’4”, 315 lbs.)
Defensively the Wildcats will be high flying to the football with some great returning players in Dallas Carter (5’10”, 190 lbs.) Robinson had 96 tackles in 2023, Jordan Ellen (6’, 205 lbs.) Marshall (350 lbs.) and Muskogee transfer Elijah Mohammad (6’2”, 240 lbs).
The defensive backfield has been led by Elijah Thomas who had 89 tackles and two interceptions last season. Jaydon Casey (5’10”, 185 lbs.), Carter Sisson (5’9”, 170 lbs.) and Hudson Pollard (5’11”, 175 lbs.) will see time on the defensive side of the football. Eufaula transfer Jordan Ellen has made an impact on defense.
Overall the Wildcats will be playing in what most coaches say is the toughest district in all of Oklahoma high school football: 3A-3. The district includes two private schools in Lincoln Christian and Holland Hall, Idabel, Eufaula, Stigler, Locust Grove and Muldrow.
The Wildcats will face off against Locust Grove at 7 p.m. Friday night at Ray Grandstaff Stadium in the Wildcats’ first district match-up.
