The Checotah Wildcats (8-4) are coming off a fantastic year in Class 3A football where they defeated in-county rival Eufaula 13-7 and clawed their way to the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Athletic Association (OSSAA) Class 3A State Semi-Finals for the first time since 1994.
The Checotah Wildcats (8-4) are coming off a fantastic year in Class 3A football where they defeated in-county rival Eufaula 13-7 and clawed their way to the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Athletic Association (OSSAA) Class 3A State Semi-Finals for the first time since 1994.
Checotah had multiple standout senior players such as Jaydon Casey, Brian Love, Preston Cannon, Elijah Thomas, Jax Harding, Jordan Ellen, Dylan Robinson, Arthur Hall and Kaden Rice that each played a role in the Wildcats success. The future looks bright for Checotah head coach Zac Ross as he has a huge group of under- classmen that played this season and will anchor the roster in the future, players such as Cole Rolland, Shooter Eagleberger, Jayden Lake, Jayden Ellen, Traegen Duvall, Elijah Mohammad, Bryce Marshall, Carter Sisson, Ashton Newport, Eli Patterson and others.
It is with great pleasure to honor the following football players as the McIntosh County Democrat (MCD) 2024 Football Players of the Year.
• The 2024 MCD Checotah Wildcats Football Most Valuable Player is Elijah Thomas. Thomas was sensational on both sides of the football. He ran for 406 yards on 63 carries for 10 touchdowns and he caught 72 passes for 1,803 yards for 26 touchdowns. On Special teams Thomas returned six kickoffs for 234 yards with one touchdown. Thomas will report to the University of Oklahoma in January where he committed to play receiver. Thomas was also named the Oklahoma Gatorade Football Player of the Year.
Defensively Thomas made 82 tackles with two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, four interceptions and 8 pass break-ups.
• The 2024 MCD Checotah Wildcats Co-Offensive Player of the Year is Jayden Ellen. The junior running back ran for 1,541 yards on 209 attempts for 17 touchdowns. Ellen also had 19 receptions for 168 yards with three touchdowns. His low running style, breakaway speed and powerful agility make him a threat for defenses anytime he touches the football.
• The 2024 MCD Co-Offensive Players of the Year is Cole Rolland. The freshman quarterback threw 147 completions on 250 attempts for 2,682 yards for 33 touchdowns and had just 9 interceptions in 12 games played. Rolland’s future is bright as the 6’1”, 190 pound quarterback has a rocket for an arm, is quarterback smart and has the ability to beat you in the air or on the ground as he finished with 82 carries for 174 yards and two touchdowns.
• The 2024 MCD Defensive Player of the Year is Preston Cannon. The senior linebacker led the team in tackles with 120 including 36 solo and 84 assisted tackles. Cannon used his quickness and powerful running style and toughness to run down running backs or force his way to the quarterback where he recorded 5.5 quarterback sacks and had 20 tackles for a loss.
• The 2024 MCD Defensive Lineman of the Year is Jordan Ellen. Ellen was a brute on the defensive line. He used his speed and strength to blow past offensive linemen and disrupted the backfield. Ellen finished with 102 tackles, 30 solo and 72 assisted tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, three quarterback sacks and a forced fumble and a pass break-up.
• The 2024 MCD Offensive Lineman of the Year is Dylan Robinson. Robinson played a detrimental part in the Wildcats offensive scheme at the center position. Robinson used his bulldog mentality, power and quickness to steamroll opposing defensive linemen. Robinson had the talent level to give quarterback Cole Rolland time to make his reads or develop holes for Ellen to run through as he anchored the offensive line.
