The Checotah Wildcats improved to (4-1 District 3A-3, 2-0) after earning a huge 48-45 road win over the undefeated Muldrow Bulldogs. Checotah scored first when freshman quarterback Cole Rolland threw a perfect 44-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Thomas. The Bulldogs managed to drive down field and kick a field goal after the Wildcats’ defense held them inside the 15-yard line.

The next drive was set up when Preston Cannon ran up the middle for a first down on a 4th down fake punt. Rolland capped the drive off when he hit his tight end Brian Love (6’6”) for a touchdown to take a 14-3 lead.

Muldrow (4-1, 1-1) fell behind 28-3 the following quarter and also trailed 42-16 with 45 seconds left in the third following a Wildcat TD. But on the ensuing kickoff, the Bulldogs’ Teaguen Collins, who already had scored two TDs, provided a massive spark by going 77 yards to the house.

The Bulldogs then went for two and got it as Deshawn Wilson ran it in, getting Muldrow within 18, 42-24, with 33 seconds to go in the third.

Collins also finished with four total TDs. He completed 6-of-14 passes for 181 yards and a TD, rushed for 73 yards on 19 carries and two TDs and had the kickoff return for the other sixpointer.

The Wildcat defense played with controlled aggression as they stopped multiple Bulldog drives with great tackling and containment.

Elijah Thomas took over the game for the Wildcats, catching 10 balls for 196 yards and three receiving touchdowns. Elijah also added 58 rushing yards on five carries and a 33yard touchdown.

“We have things to fix, I trust my coaches to fix whatever needs to be fixed and I trust my teammates to be coachable and fix what needs to be fixed,” senior receiver Elijah Thomas said.

Checotah junior tailback Jayden Ellen gained 115 yards on 26 carries and scored two third-quarter TDs. Rolland completed 16-of-26 passes for 234 yards and four TDs. Rolland’s arm ability is effortless and he continues to throw the deep perfectly when at the same time is strong enough to dodge would-be tackles.

Checotah head coach Zac Ross’ aggressive play calling has fit perfectly with his players on both sides of the football.

Checotah finished the night with 442 yards of total offense (208 rushes on 41 carries and 234 yards passing). Muldrow ended up with 323 total yards (142 yards rushing on 36 carries and 181 yards passing).

The Wildcats will host the Stigler Panthers Friday night at Ray Grandstaff stadium at 7 p.m.