CHECOTAH WILDCATS
Coach: ZAC ROSS
6-5
Checotah returns in 2026 after a 6-5 season under head coach Zac Ross, who enters his seventh year leading the Wildcats. Ross says the program is “looking forward to the season” with a lot of returning starters” and a group that is “excited to go compete in the fall.” With seven offensive starters and six defensive starters back, Checotah brings an experienced, physical team into a tough district slate.
Offensively, the Wildcats can morph from spread looks to a double tight I, using multiple formations and personnel to control the line of scrimmage. Junior quarterback and VYPE Top 100 nominee Cole Rolland (6-2, 215) is the centerpiece after throwing for 1,304 yards and rushing for 856 yards with 27 total touchdowns, giving Checotah a true dual-threat leader. He operates behind a massive line anchored by sophomore tackle Gabe Scarborough (6-3, 265), junior tackle Ashton Newport (6-7, 305), sophomore center Payden Miller (6-1, 295) and senior guard Bryce Marshall (6-2, 285), while senior receiver Landynn Thomason (6-1, 180) will stretch the field on the outside after accumulating 38 catches for 635 yards last year. The offensive goal, Ross says, is “to control the line of scrimmage and keep the ball in our hands for as long as we can.”
Defensively, Checotah returns six starters and will base from a 3-4 but can be multiple, aiming to be physical and fast to the ball trying to limit teams from extending drives. Rolland doubles as a key defensive piece at linebacker with 68 tackles, while fellow senior linebacker Woodrow Spears (5-9, 190) led the team with 105 tackles. Junior outside linebacker Tommy Calico (6-0, 180) added 45 tackles, and Scarborough contributed seven sacks from his nose guard spot, giving the front seven size and production. On the back end, Thomason recorded 35 tackles and seven interceptions at safety, and senior defensive tackle Travis Wasson (5-9, 250) adds more size inside, helping the Wildcats build a defense that complements their ball-control offense.
Ross calls Rolland the player who “runs everything we do on offense,” noting that he will be a third-year starter at quarterback and “one of our leading tacklers on defense.” Rolland is also a multi-year team captain, giving Checotah a proven leader on both sides of the ball. With that leadership, a huge offensive line and an aggressive 3-4 defense, the Wildcats believe they can push beyond last year’s six wins and make noise in the playoffs.
9-4 – vs. Beggs
9-11 – vs. Muldrow
9-18 – at Eufaula
9-25 – vs. Heavener
10-2 – at Spiro
10-9 – vs. Tahlequah Sequoyah
10-15 – at Victory Christian
10-23 – at Lincoln Christian
10-30 – vs. Roland
11-6 – at Hugo
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