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Players of the past
Sports
June 8, 2023
Players of the past
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR,

Greg Dixon – living lessons taught

A 1985 Checotah graduate, Greg Dixon was one of many players that Hall of Fame coach Ray Grandstaff coached but was the only one that outworked any player Grandstaff had on his teams in any era.

“Greg was as good of a player that I ever coached. He had a terrific attitude and an even greater work ethic. He was here every day to work out and some days he would be waiting on me to open the doors to our workout facility,” said Grandstaff.

Dixon, 6 ft. 2 inches 220 lbs., played several positions like tailback, linebacker or defensive end among others. Checotah and Dixon were very successful in the early and mid 1980’s. The battles with archrival Eufaula were as tough and competitive as any time in history.

Dixon, along with teammates, David Shoemaker and Bill Osmond, were anchors for those Wildcat teams. In 1985, University of Oklahoma recruiter Charlie North came to Checotah. North looked at football film and evaluated players during practice. When North left Checotah, both Dixon and Shoemaker had scholarships to play at Oklahoma.

“North was a great recruiter. He wanted Greg because of his athleticism and flexibility to play different positions,” Grandstaff said.

While at the University of Oklahoma, Dixon played defensive end. He helped Oklahoma win the 1985 National Championship, three Big 8 Championships (1985, 86,87) three Orange Bowl titles and the 1988 Citrus Bowl title. Dixon graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Law. He worked in the Oklahoma City and McIntosh County D.A.’s office and is now the sitting Judge for Cleveland, Garvin and McClain counties. When asked what characteristics he learned from coach Grandstaff that he incorporates in his life today Dixon said, “To be professional at my craft, disciplined and to conduct myself in the proper manner.”

“Coach Grandstaff was a professional. We believed in his program and he brought out the confidence in his players. You could trust and follow him anywhere,” added Dixon. Both of his coaches, high school and college, had a profound effect on Dixon’s life. Both Grandstaff and Dixon’s college coach Barry Switzer are in their respective Hall of Fames.

“I will always remember a quote that Coach Switzer said every day before practice, “Every day you get up, you either get better or you don’t.”

The Checotah Wildcats began a new era of football under new Head coach Chad Hendricks. Dixon had this advice to give to the 2013 Wildcat team, “Prepare like a champion. Not just in athletics but in the classroom, in your home and in the community.”

Dixon was inducted into the Checotah Athletic Hall of Fame this past Fall.

Checotah tops Mu Id row 7-6 in Homecoming game
Sports
Checotah tops Mu Id row 7-6 in Homecoming game
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 28, 2023
It was a defensive battle all night as the Checotah Wildcats (4-1, 1-0 District 3A-3) survived to get a 7-6 win over the Muldrow Bulldogs. The team had a big week as they kicked off Homecoming with th...
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Eufaula Lady Ironheads win Regional Championship
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Eufaula Lady Ironheads win Regional Championship
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 28, 2023
The Eufaula Lady Ironheads (21-9) outlasted Chandler in a dramatic finish 2-1 Thursday at Chris Gawf Field in Eufaula. Eufaula and Chandler battled throughout the championship game with great pitching...
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Hayden and Dan Jeffries win Crappie Masters National Championship
Sports
Hayden and Dan Jeffries win Crappie Masters National Championship
September 28, 2023
The National Championship on Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Oklahoma has come to an end! After three days of competition, $125,000.00 was awarded in cash and prizes! Taking home the third-place trophy and $...
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Winzley Joe Vanna Ray White
Obituaries
Winzley Joe Vanna Ray White
September 28, 2023
Sept. 11, 2023 – Sept. 15, 2023Winzley Joe Vanna Ray White was born Sept. 11, 2023 in McAlester, Oklahoma to Jamon Ray White and Wittany Nicole Kess.She peacefully passed away in her sleep on Sept. 15...
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Nancy Marie Mouser
Obituaries
Nancy Marie Mouser
September 28, 2023
Nancy Marie Mouser, 66, of Eufaula, Oklahoma, passed away Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, at St. Francis Hospital of Tulsa. Nancy was born on Nov. 3, 1956, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, the daughter of Richard...
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News
Court Report
September 28, 2023
McIntosh County District Court ReportMisdemeanor CasesChase Alexander Brooks-McGuffin: possession of CDS; unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia Dallan Ray Davis: threaten to perform an act of viol...
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Editor Picks
Sports
Fun-Facts of Sooners verses Longhorns
September 28, 2023
Just for the sake of facts, as the Texas game is around the corner, and talk is already happening, and the narrative that OU’s last year’s loss was the largest margin of victory in the series, is stil...
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Sports
OU-Texas kickoff time announced
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 28, 2023
The 2023 Red River Rivalry will commence at 11 a.m. on Oct. 7 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. ABC is broadcasting the game.The last time OUTexas wasn’t an 11 a.m. start was 2017, when it began at 2:30. ...
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Sports
Sooners firepower too much for Bearcats
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 28, 2023
No. 16 Oklahoma defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats 20-6 Saturday in the first Big 12 Conference game for Cincinnati. OU quarterback Dillon Gabriel completed 26 of 38 passes for 322-yards and two touchdo...
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Eufaula Softball Senior Night
Sports
Eufaula Softball Senior Night
September 28, 2023
Adyson Beaver is escorted by her parents Megan and John Beaver and Coach Green and Coach Efurd.
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Ironheads rally late to get win over Spiro
Sports
Ironheads rally late to get win over Spiro
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 28, 2023
The Eufaula Ironheads (2-2, 1-0 District 2A-6)) had to rally late in the fourth quarter to defeat a tough Spiro Bulldogs team 30-20. The Ironheads had to rely on senior running back Gavin Watkins who ...
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