In one of the most unforgettable games of the season, the Checotah Wildcats clawed their way to a dramatic overtime victory against the Idabel Warriors in a Friday night thriller that had fans on their feet until the final whistle.

The first half was a back-and-forth battle of grit and momentum. Senior running back Jayden Ellen was unstoppable, bulldozing through the Idabel defense for four firsthalf touchdowns. Ellen racked up 177 rushing yards and found the end zone from 8, 12, 8, and 4 yards out to help Checotah edge ahead 28–27 at halftime.

Idabel opened the third quarter with a long, methodical drive that reclaimed the lead, 34–27. But the Wildcats refused to back down. Quarterback Cole Rolland muscled in a 1-yard touchdown to cut the gap to one, 34–33, late in the third. The Warriors answered with two quick scores — one coming off a costly Checotah turnover — stretching their advantage to 47–33 early in the fourth quarter.

That’s when Checotah flipped the script.

Ellen powered in another touchdown from two yards out following his left linemen of Bryce Marshall and Gabe Scarborough, trimming the deficit to 47–39. The defense then rose to the occasion, halting Idabel deep in the red zone with under six minutes to play. With the season’s biggest play on the line, Rolland took a quarterback sneak 54 yards to the house — a jaw-dropping run that electrified the crowd. On the two-point try, Rolland fought his way across the goal line again, tying the game 47–47 with just over three minutes left.

Both teams traded possessions in the closing minutes, and when Idabel’s game-winning field goal attempt sailed wide as time expired, the packed stands erupted — this battle was headed to overtime.

The extra period started with fireworks. Idabel struck first on a third-down touchdown pass, but Landon Thomason came up clutch, blocking the extra point to keep it a six-point game. That defensive stand proved pivotal.

With the pressure on, the Wildcats’ offense went to work. Facing a fourth-and-three, Rolland powered through the line for the touchdown that tied the game. Idabel’s defense jumped offsides twice on the extra- point attempt, moving the ball to the 1-yard line. Rolland called his own number again — and this time, there was no stopping him. He lunged across the goal line for the game-winning conversion, sealing a 55–53 overtime victory that will be remembered in Checotah for years.

The Wildcats will have to get healthy fast as they have to travel to Eufaula for the 110th meeting between the Wildcats and Ironheads.

Stat Leaders

• Jayden Ellen: 201 rushing yards, 5 touchdowns on 27 carries

• Cole Rolland: 207 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns on 29 carries; also went 9-of-17 passing for 95 yards

• Landon Thomason: 4 receptions for 68 yards, 1 blocked PAT

• Rolland & Woodrow Spears: Led the defense with 11 tackles each

• Spears: 3 tackles for loss (TFL)

• Rolland: 2 tackles for loss