Football season is here and scrimmage action starts this Friday for area teams. The Checotah Wildcats who finished 7-4 overall in the 2023 season will travel to Sallisaw to take on the Black Diamonds. Checotah will have a new look at quarterback as head coach Zac Ross will have two players getting their share of snaps in Elijah Thomas and Cole Roland. Thomas is a senior with great athleticism and speed while Roland, a freshman, has a rocket arm and quick release. Sallisaw, who is in Class 4A returns a lot of players from a team that went 7-5 in 2023 and an appearance in the second round of the playoffs.

This will be a great test for the Wildcats to see exactly where they are as a team. Checotah has a stable of running backs that are more than capable.

The Eufaula Ironheads will host the Morris Eagles at Paul Bell Stadium. The Ironheads have a team that is loaded at every position. Ledger Folsom returns at quarterback. He is a dual threat type of player with a lot of targets. Eufaula head coach Larry Newton will be focused on seeing what his offensive and defensive lines can do. Connor McAllister will anchor the offensive line while Carson Luna will lead the charge on the defensive line. Tight end Logan Plant, who was hurt last season, returns to the line up and should play a huge factor in the Ironheads offense. Plant is 6’4” and has great hands and toughness.

Other players to watch are Peter Lee at running back and Maddox Bridges and Dresden Chiles at the receiver positions.

Eufaula is loaded at linebacker with Bryfrom an Lynn, Kaden Rice and Aaron Spoehr. The Eufaula football staff gained three new coaches in Wade Couch, Mike Idleman and Daxton Williams. Eufaula scrimmage starts at 6 p.m. and the Checotah Wildcats start at 6 p.m.