Checotah Team Preview
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Stay tuned to Prep Redzone Oklahoma every day as we release more individual team previews as we get closer to the start of the 2021 football season. In case you missed it, you can check out our Preseason Rankings RIGHT HERE.
Overview (Class 3A Preseason Ranking: #9)
The Checotah Wildcats entered 2020 with high hopes after recording a record of 9-3 in 2019, which included a run to the 3A quarter-finals. Those hopes would be damaged early in the year after going through a gauntlet in what had to be one of the toughest districts in 3A. They started off the season with a convincing win over Hugo but would quickly fall to 1-2 heading into district play with losses against 4A Hilldale and 2A quarter-finalist Eufaula. The Wildcats recovered nicely with a high-scoring shutout victory in their district opener against Webster but then went on to lose 3 of next their 4 games, 2 of them coming to Stigler and Lincoln Christian who both finished the season in the top 4 for class 3A. They were able to come out with a playoff win in the 1st round over Inola, but as was seemingly the theme for Checotah in 2020, their 2nd round matchup against Holland Hall, who would go on to win the state title in the class, proved to be too much for them. Though their district will remain the same in 2021 and things will not be any easier for them, Checotah returns 14 starters from last year’s team including 8 of 11 on offense. They have the experience and a few stars to compete with the big dogs on their schedule, the question now is will they be able to maximize said talent and experience and push for another run in Class 3A?
2020 Results (5-6 Record – Lost In 3A Second Round)
Sept. 4 – Beat Hugo 30-14
Sept. 11 – Lost to Hilldale 40-0
Sept. 18 – Lost to Eufaula 19-12
Sept. 25 – Beat Daniel Webster 53-0
Oct. 2 – Lost to Stigler 56-39
Oct. 9 – Lost to Seminole 40-34
Oct. 15 – Beat Westville 42-6
Oct. 23 – Lost to Lincoln Christian 63-6
Nov. 6 – Beat Locust Grove 60-8
1st Round – Beat Inola 47-17
2nd Round – Lost to Holland Hall 52-0
Players To Watch
Dontierre Fisher
Dontierre
Fisher
6'0" | RB
Checotah | 2022
State
OK
– 2022 Running Back
Fisher enters 2022 as one of the best running backs in the state, and a top 10 back for us in the class of 2022. There is plenty of speed and explosiveness in the state’s 2022 running back class, and while Dontierre has plenty of speed to his game, he is more than just a one-trick pony in the run game. Fisher placed 5th in the 100-meter dash for Checotah at the 4A state track meet this spring, and you see that speed once he gets into the open field, but what stands out the most after his speed is his vision and contact balance. Dontierre is no stranger to taking on big hits when he gets to the second level and he often encourages the contact, but he is also excellent at seeing the field and has a unique ability to change directions on a dime and escape some situations where he is surrounded by multiple defenders before turning on the jets en route to the endzone.
Levi Lawson
Levi
Lawson
6'4" | 335 lbs | OL
Checotah | 2023
State
OK
– 2023 Offensive/Defensive Lineman
Levi is the second of two Wildcats that we currently have ranked in their respective classes and he might see his stock rise in a big way this season if he continues to build on what he was able to do in 2020. Lawson plays both ways for Checotah but his best spot at the next level is likely on the offensive line due to his size, power, and athleticism. He moves very well for a big man at 6’5″ 340 Lbs., while also having the strength and motor to mow down any 3A defender that steps in front of him. Just about every play on his tape that we saw ended with him pancaking a defender, oftentimes by simply bench pressing them downfield.
Omarion Warrior – 2022 Offensive/Defensive Lineman
If it has not become clear yet what Checotah will be looking to do on offense this year, maybe this will help. Warrior is one of 3 returning starters for Checotah along their offensive line and will look to keep their lethal rushing attack on track in 2021. Similar to Lawson, coming in at 6’3″ 315 Lbs., Warrior is a pretty massive individual, especially at the 3A level. However, he is not just big. Checotah uses him in a variety of ways in the run game, including as a puller on power runs where he has really flashed his strength and athleticism as an offensive tackle. Warrior and Lawson have to be in the running for the best 1-2 combo along the offensive line in Class 3A. Don’t be surprised if Omarion Warrior becomes the 3rd Wildcat to be ranked on our site by the end of 2021.
More Names
Kyler Pouncil – 2022 Offensive/ Defensive Lineman
Trenton Dan – 2022 Wide Receiver/ Defensive Back
Kreed Hall – 2023 Running Back/ Linebacker
Connor Collins – 2024 Linebacker/ Tight End
Elijah Thomas – 2025 Athlete
Notable
Over the last 5 seasons, 2019 is the one that sticks out the most for Checotah. During that season, the Wildcats went on quite the run where they were able to top 4A Hilldale, Seminole, and Stigler in close, one-score games. Outside of that season, they have not gone into the playoffs with less than 3 losses, and they have struggled to keep games close against the top teams in their district for the most part. While there will always be a chance that a team will unexpectedly find their way into the district title conversation year in and year out, it seems that this one will play out similarly to what we’ve seen the last 3 years. The key to success for the Checotah Wildcats in 2021 may come down to those 3 matchups with Stigler, Seminole, and Lincoln Christian. That is of course with the assumption that they can take care of business against the rest of their district as they have done on a semi-consistent basis since 2016.
2021 Schedule/Games To Watch
Sept. 3 – Hugo
Sept. 10 – Hilldale
Sept. 17 – AT Eufalua
Sept. 24 – AT Webster
Oct. 1 – AT Stigler
– Though their non-district schedule will remain tough this season, this one against Stigler will be the beginning of the 4-week gauntlet that features 3 of the top 4 teams from their district in 2020 and includes matchups with 2 top 10 teams in the class. Stigler scored quite a few points on Checotah just a season ago on their way to a 3A semi-final appearance, so if the Wildcats want to avoid a low seeding in the playoffs they will have to find a way to beat both Stigler and Seminole in back to back weeks.
Oct. 8 – Seminole
Oct. 14 – Westville
Oct. 22 – AT Lincoln Christian
– It’s safe to say that this will be the toughest game on the schedule on Checotah’s 2021 schedule for obvious reasons. Lincoln Christian has had their number over the last few years, winning all 3 of their previous matchups in convincing fashion. The Bulldogs were also one of the few teams in 2020 that was able to hold Checotah’s rushing attack out of the endzone, so we expect
Dontierre Fisher
Dontierre
Fisher
6'0" | RB
Checotah | 2022
State
OK
and the rest of the Wildcat offense to come in hungry for redemption. A win here would put Checotah on the map as serious contenders in 3A with the playoffs just a couple weeks away, but doing so will be much easier said than done.
Oct. 29 – Tahlequah Sequoyah
Nov. 5 – AT Locust Grove
Championship History
0 State Championships