Checotah Wildcats OK 2024 Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 25% Off Your Subscription By Entering Knight25 In The Coupon Code Area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the month of July and that means it's preview time! Throughout the month of July and even into August, we are publishing well over 100 of the most in-depth team previews that you'll find anywhere to get you completely ready for the 2024 football season. This is something that began for us at PRZ-Oklahoma in 2021 and it continues to get bigger and better every single year. We're looking forward to diving deep into the top teams across the state in every class. From defending champions, to the top contenders and plenty of dark horses and other teams to know, we'll have complete coverage every single day. There will be multiple previews dropping every single day! In this post, we take a look at the Checotah Wildcats!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Checotah Wildcats</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: UR In Class 3A<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: UR In Class 3A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Head Coach: Zac Ross - 5th Season - 18-24 Record At Checotah</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (7-4 Record - Lost In Class 3A 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 25th - Beat East Central 43-14<br>Sept. 1st - Lost To Claremore Sequoyah 49-27<br>Sept. 8th - Beat Haskell 59-14<br>Sept. 15th - Beat Eufaula 54-27<br>Sept. 22nd - Beat Muldrow 7-6<br>Sept. 29th - Beat Seminole 46-26<br>Oct. 6th - Lost To Lincoln Christian 54-20<br>Oct. 12th - Beat Locust Grove 42-24<br>Oct. 19th - Lost To Berryhill 40-28<br>Nov. 3rd - Beat Stigler 28-13<br>1st Round - Lost To Holland Hall 38-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 33.4 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 27.9 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Checotah Wildcats are looking to build on what they started in 2023 and take the next step as a program with a very talented team returning. The Wildcats came into 2023 starting fresh after a 3-7 season in 2022. They would start off strong and looked really good throughout the first month of the season. They began the year with a 5-1 record and the only loss was to Claremore Sequoyah in the second game of the year. They looked really good and showcased an offense that could light up the scoreboard at a different level. The second half of the season was more of a roller coaster. They lost to a Lincoln Christian team that would end up capturing the 3A state championship. They bounced back the following week with a win over Locust Grove but then tripped up in week eight against Berryhill. After a bye week, the Wildcats got a massive week ten win over Stigler, beating the Panthers 28-13. They would square off with Holland Hall in the first round and the season came to an end with a 7-4 record. They went from 3-7 to 7-4, which is quite the turnaround for the Wildcats. Now, as they turn the page to the 2024 season, they'll look to take the next step and they have the firepower to do just that.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After one of the best turnarounds in Class 3A, Checotah is looking to exceed what he was able to do in 2023. Six starters are back on the offensive side of the ball. The offense is headlined by arguably the best player in the class. Checotah will have to reload at the quarterback position and they'll also need new guys to step up along the offensive line. But as we've seen over the last few years, if you have a player like Checotah has, you're going to be able to win a lot of ball games and do it at a high level. This offense averaged 33 points per game last season and we think they could either match or even exceed that production this season. We don't think they'll be taking a step back. An underrated part of the Wildcats this season will be the defensive side of the ball. The defense brings back seven starters from last season and we do think that they will be able to exceed what they accomplished last season. Checotah has a great mix of players returning at all three levels of the defense. They have guys that can get the job done on the line of scrimmage, at the linebacker position and in the secondary. The schedule sets up for Checotah as three of the last four games are arguably the toughest. The Wildcats will be able to grow up where they need to and those playmakers should be playing at a high level by the time they get into the heart of the schedule in October.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>KEY LOSSES TO GRADUATION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alex Moffit - Offensive Lineman<br>Jacob Jones - Quarterback<br>Jonah Marshall - Offensive Lineman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1351760"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a715fe8d66d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is no doubt that Checotah has some serious firepower on the offensive side of the ball but don't overlook what the Wildcats can do on defense. Leading an experienced group that's returning is senior [player_tooltip player_id='1351760' first='Dylan' last='Robinson'] at the linebacker position. Robinson was one of the team's leading tacklers a year ago, finishing with just shy of 100 tackles as a junior. This season, he looks to get into the triple digits and firmly establish himself as one of the top linebackers in Class 3A. The tools are definitely there for him to do just that. He was not really on our radar at this time last season but that changed when he had a monster junior year and now he's hungry for more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["353415"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a715fe8d6c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='353415' first='Elijah' last='Thomas'] is going to be one of the top football players in the state this season. That's exactly what he was last season and he has the numbers and overall production and dominance to back it up. Thomas finished with nearly 1,200 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. He would account for 20 touchdowns total between offense, defense and special teams. He also added nearly 90 tackles on the defensive side of the ball. Thomas committed to Oklahoma to play wide receiver at the next level and has really become one of the state's top overall prospects. This season, you could definitely make the argument that he'll be the most dominant player in Class 3A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1161855"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a715fe8d709"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">All eyes will be on Thomas and the weapons that Checotah has in the passing game. But that's the way it was last season and running back [player_tooltip player_id='1161855' first='Kaden' last='Mitchell'] had a breakout season because of it. As a junior last season, Miitchell would finish with nearly 1,100 yards and ten touchdowns. He emerged as Checotah's top threat in the run game. This season, we expect Mitchell to be able to produce at a high level again but he's going to have help in the Checotah backfield. The Wildcats have a couple running backs that can fill up the stat sheet. Mitchell became a breakout star in the Checotah offense last season and we're looking forward to what he does for an encore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MORE NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1164571' first='Ashton' last='Newport'] - 2028 Offensive Lineman<br>Brian Love - 2025 Tight End<br>Bryce Marshall - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1522515' first='Cole' last='Rolland'] - 2028 Quarterback/Linebacker<br>Dallas Carter - 2025 Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1293008' first='Jayden' last='Ellen'] - 2026 Running Back<br>Jaydin Lake - 2027 Wide Receiver<br>Reign Westbrook - 2025 Defensive Lineman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 SCHEDULE/GAMES TO CIRCLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30th - AT Okmulgee<br><strong>Sept. 6th - Seminole<br></strong>- In week one, Checotah will play their home opener against a familiar foe as Seminole comes to town. These two teams have been district opponents for the last six seasons but after redistricting shuffle, this will now just be a game between two teams that expect to be in the playoffs. Checotah knocked off Seminole with a comfortable 46-26 win last season and that snapped a three-game losing streak to the Chieftains. The winner here will get a lot of momentum. <br>Sept. 13th - AT Dewey<br>Sept. 27th - Locust Grove<br>Oct. 4th - AT Muldrow<br>Oct. 11th - Stigler<br>Oct. 17th - AT Holland Hall<br><strong>Oct. 25th - Lincoln Christian<br></strong>- In week eight, Checotah will play host to defending state champion Lincoln Christian. And to be the best, you have to beat the best and there's no denying that Lincoln Christian has been arguably the best team in Class 3A over the last five years. The Wildcats have struggled against the Bulldogs and they'll look to turn things around in this series. They've met every year in district play since 2018. If Checotah can stun the Bulldogs in week nine, they'll be in the driver's seat for the district crown. <br><strong>Nov. 1st - AT Idabel<br></strong>- One week after playing defending champion Lincoln Christian, Checotah will have arguably their toughest road game as they travel to face an Idabel team that's a preseason top ten team in Class 3A. It's been a few years since these two have met but they are no strangers to being district rivals. They were both in the same district in 2018 and 2019 and Checotah was victorious both times. There is no doubt that the winner here will be in a very good position for the playoffs. <br>Nov. 8th - Eufaula</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no doubt that the week seven game in Tulsa against Holland Hall on a Thursday night is going to be another contest that is circled by Checotah. Holland Hall has been a massive thorn in the side of the Wildcats and they now get to square off with them in district play. Last year, Checotah's season came to an end in Tulsa with a loss to Holland Hall. And that was not an unfamiliar feeling for the Wildcats. Checotah has been to the playoffs in three of the last four seasons and in each year, Holland Hall has been the team that has eliminated them from the playoffs. What's ironic about the district match-up this year is that the winner should be in the playoffs and the loser is going to be in danger of missing the playoffs altogether. So while that week seven clash isn't a playoff game, it should definitely feel like one for both teams.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LAST FOUR SEASONS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 - 7-4 - Lost In Class 3A 1st Round<br>2022 - 3-7 - Missed Playoffs<br>2021 - 3-8 - Lost In Class 3A 1st Round<br>2020 - 5-6 - Lost In Class 3A 2nd Round<br>2019 - 9-3 - Lost In Class 3A Quarterfinals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>0 State Championships</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->