
Coach: ZAC ROSS
8-5
OFFENSE
While it’s true that the Checotah Wildcats will be without standout receiver Elijah Thomas (OU), there are lots of offensive elements back for the Wildcats that helped carry them to the Class 3A state semifinals in 2024. First and foremost is quarterback Cole Rolland (6-2, 200, So.) who, as a freshman last year, threw for 2682 yards and 32 touchdowns. Moving into his senior year at running back will be Jayden Ellen (5-10, 195, Sr.), a VYPE TOP 100 selection, who toted the rock for 1541 yards and 19 TDs in 2024 and goes into this season with a college offer from Air Force already in hand. “Jayden did a great job for us in his first year of varsity after transferring and sitting out his sophomore year,” said coach Zac Ross. “He added a dimension to our game that helped take some of the pressure off Cole and Elijah.” There will also be some experience returning in the O-line with Bryce Marshall (6-2, 250, Jr.) and Cale Thompson (6-2, 240, Sr.) and big sophomore Ashton Newport (6-6, 285) who started at center last year until he was injured, will move to tackle this year while Elijah Muhammad (6-2, 240, Sr.) returns at tight end. Of course, the big challenge for Zac Ross and his staff will be to see who will take up the hole left by the departure of Thomas who caught 26 of Rolland’s 32 touchdown passes. “We’ll miss Elijah, but we have some young receivers like juniors Jayden Lake and Landynn Thomason and sophomore Shooter Eagleberger that will give us a deep threat.” With eight returning starters, the Wildcats have a great core to work with going into 2025.
DEFENSE
Checotah returns six starters on defense but will be without their top four tacklers from last year so there will be some work to be done on this side of the ball as Ross retools his 3-4 defense. Rolland will return to his outside linebacker spot and Muskogee transfer Muhammad will be back at defensive end where he had 67 tackles and eight sacks last year. “He was our best defensive end last year and he’ll probably play more tight end for us this year,” said Ross. Marshall will join him on the line as well. Other experienced players returning on defense include Eagleberger (5-11, 170, Sr.) at safety, who had 60 tackles last season, Hudson Pollard (6-2, 170, Sr.) at one of the cornerback spots and Lake (6-0, 175, Jr.) at the other corner.
“I think we’ll have to change our mentality some this year and ask more of the running game. We will be young in some areas and experienced in others, but our coaches have done a great job of getting our kids ready to play and we’re looking forward to competing another year in a very tough district,” said Ross.
SCHEDULE
8-29 – vs. Okmulgee
9-5 – at Seminole
9-12 – vs. Dewey
9-19 – OPEN
9-26 – at Locust Grove
10-3 – vs. Muldrow
10-10 – at Stigler
10-16 – vs. Holland Hall
10-24 – at Lincoln Christian
10-31 – vs. Idabel
11-7 – at Eufaula