Coach: ZAC ROSS 

LAST 8 YEARS: 2021 – 3-8 

2020 – 5-6 

2019 – 9-3 

2018 – 6-4 

2017 – 5-6 

2016 – 4-6 

2015 – 7-4 

2014 – 8-4 

QUICK HITS: 

The Wildcats play Haskell for the first time since 1987 on Sepember 9th. The teams first played in 1946 and Haskell hasn’t defeated Checotah since 1978, 

Checotah and Hilldale will not meet for the first time eight seasons. The teams have played in 29 of the last 36 years with Checotah owning a 15-14 lead over the Hornets. 

OFFENSE 

The Checotah Wildcats find themselves in need of some help after graduation took some very talented players off the team. Gone is stand out running back Dontierre Fisher but his younger brother, Elijah Thomas (6-1, 180, So.), is back for his sophomore season. As a freshman wide receiver, Thomas had 30 receptions for 641 yards and seven touchdowns. The true athleticism of the Wildcats playmaker has resulted in Thomas drawing a Division-I offer from the University of Arkansas along with a VYPE Top 100 selection. 

“He started for us both ways as a freshman last year and he also excels in basketball and track,” said head coach Zac Ross. The ‘Cats should also be in good shape at running back with the return of Kreed Hall (5- 10, 195, Sr.) who rushed for 318 yards on 47 carries last year and got into the end zone three times. Ross is also anxious to see another wide receiver in action in Eufaula transfer Jaydin Bray (6-0, 200, Jr.). There are still multiple questions about the offensive line where Jonah Marshall (6-0, 285, Jr.) is the only returner and exactly who will fill the role at quarterback. The September 16th date against Eufaula in the McIntosh County showdown is always special but even more so this year as it will mark the 100th anniversary of this series. 

DEFENSE 

The Wildcats will show a little more experience on the defense with seniors Levi Lawson (6-5, 330) and Levi Lowe (6-0, 215) along the front in the Checotah 4-2-5 defensive set. Hall is the leading tackler returning with 65 last year and he’ll be at linebacker while Thomas will be back at cornerback. “We’re going to be very inexperienced after losing a lot of kids to graduation,” said Ross. 

“But I’m looking forward to seeing how fast we can grow up and I like the work ethic I’m seeing from our underclassmen.” They’ll be a couple of redistricting changes in Class 3A-3 for the Wildcats with the loss of Tahlequah Sequoyah and Westville and the addition of Berryhill to the district for the next two years. 

SCHEDULE: 

8-26 – vs. East Central 

9-2 – vs. Claremore Sequoyah 

9-9 – at Haskell 

9-16 – vs. Eufaula 

9-23 – at Muldrow 

9-30 – vs. Seminole 

10-7 – at Lincoln Christian 

10-13 – vs. Locust Grove 

10-21 – at Berryhill 

11-4 – vs. Stigler