“I think we deserved this win more than anyone right now. Through the blood, sweat, and tears and the ups and downs throughout the season, we deserve it.
We had our best week of practice last week and it truly paid off. It was definitely a shock to see the team that has been in the shadows the past couple of years become the #1 team in their district and go on to the next round.
We haven’t been in the second round since 2018 which is amazing,” – laydon Casey
The Checotah Wildcats (8-3) ran their way to victory over district champions and No.4 ranked Cascia Hall (9-2) 35-28 in Tulsa on Friday night in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs. Checotah jumped out on top when Jayden Ellen intercepted the Commandos first play of the game and returned it 3 9-yards to give Checotah a 7-0 lead and they would never trail in the rest of the game.
“I am so happy for this team. I am proud of our team, coaches and the community for showing up and cheering us on,” Checotah head coach Zac Ross said.
Cascia Hall answered the call when quarterback Barrett Mullen connected on a 22-yard touchdown pass to Carter Nathman after the Checotah defender fell down on the play. The Wildcats would begin their first of multiple long methodical offensive drives with runs by Ellen and passes by quarterback Cole Rolland.
Checotah scored their next touchdown on an Ellen run and again when Preston Cannon rumbled in from yards out to give Checotah a 21-7 lead in the second quarter.
Ross has an incredible amount of confidence in his freshman quarterback and kicker. Rolland 8/16, threw for 87 yards and ran for 74 yards on 13 carries.
University of Oklahoma commit Elijah Thomas would be a key factor for the Wild- cats as he scored their next touchdown to extend the lead 28-7 with 6:01 remaining in the first half.
Defensively the Wildcats stymied the Commandos as they struggled to consistently move the football. Jaydon Casey, Kaden Rice, Cannon, Jordan Ellen and crew dominated the run game of Cascia Hall. Ellen led the team with 12 tackles while Rice and Cannon each had seven tackles.
“We were really excited to get the win to move on to the second round. Our defense played tough and physical to get key stops to stop drives in the game,” Checotah senior linebacker Preston Cannon said.
The Commandos would not go away easily as they scored late in the second quarter to cut the lead 28-14 to end the first half.
The Wildcats’ offensive line played spectacularly as they gave Rolland plenty of time to make his reads and open running lanes for Cannon, Ellen and Thomas.
Cascia Hall cut the lead 28-21 in the fourth quarter until Thomas made a highlight reception for a 24-yard touchdown to extend the lead 35-21.
“Matthew 1:37 says, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” We were the underdogs going into the game and everyone knew it. God works in mysterious ways but you have to trust his ways knowing he’ll give you tests and obstacles but he’ll never let you break nor fail you,” Checotah senior Elijah Thomas said.
The Wildcats continued to run the football with authority as Ellen finished with 26 carries for 132 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Preston Cannon finished with six carries for 47 yards and a touchdown.
Cascia Hall scored another touchdown to make the game 3528 with just 4:47 left in regulation. This was when Checotah’s offensive line led by center Dylan Robinson, continued to control the game as they ran the football moving the chains and running the clock out to end the game 35-28 and moving on to the second round of the playoffs.
Checotah finished with 389 total offensive yards and Cascia Hall had 302 total offensive yards.
The Wildcats will have to travel to take on the No. 8 ranked Bristow Pirates (7-4) at 7 p.m.
“I think we deserved this win more than anyone right now. Through the blood, sweat, and tears and the ups and downs throughout the season, we deserve it. We had our best week of practice last week and it truly paid off. It was definitely a shock to see the team that has been in the shadows the past couple of years become the #1 team in their district and go on to the next round. We haven’t been in the second round since 2018 which is amazing,” Jaydon Casey said.
