The Checotah Wildcats stormed into Locust Grove on Friday night and left no doubt about who ruled the waters, sinking the Locust Grove Pirates 55-13 in a dominant district- opening victory. The win lifts Checotah to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in district play, set- ting the tone for what looks to be a statement season.
From the very first snap, the Wildcats brought fireworks. Sophomore quarterback Cole Rolland, back in action after missing time with a shoulder injury, wasted no time reintroducing himself. On the game’s opening play, Rolland launched a strike to Shooter Eagleberger for a dazzling 49-yard touchdown. It was the perfect spark to ignite the Wildcats’ offense. Rolland finished the night going 7-of-12 for 133 yards, showing poise and confidence in his return.
If Rolland lit the fuse, senior running back Jayden Ellen exploded like dynamite. Ellen carved through the Pirate defense with relentless power and breakaway speed, piling up 213 rushing yards and five touchdowns on just 17 carries. He was unstoppable, turning every touch into a highlight and giving the Wildcats a relentless ground attack. Behind Ellen, Checotah’s offense never punted in the first half and scored on every single drive, building a commanding 42-0 lead at halftime.
The defense matched the offense’s dominance with a performance just as ferocious. Swarming to the football on every play, the Wildcats forced five turnovers, including three interceptions. Landon Thomason electrified the sidelines with a 24-yard pick-six, while Tommy Calico recovered two Pirate fumbles to keep momentum firmly in Checotah’s hands.
Anchoring the defensive effort was junior linebacker Woodrow Spears, who was everywhere Friday night. Spears racked up an astonishing 16 tackles, including two for loss, and added a forced fumble in a statement performance. The defensive line—Gabe Scarborough, Bryce Marshall, Marcus Cunningham, Elijah Mohammad, Ace Wilhite, and Ashten Newport—overpowered Locust Grove in the trenches, collapsing the pocket and shutting down the Pirates’ run game.
Checotah’s offensive line deserves equal praise, as they gave Rolland time to work through his reads and opened gaping holes for Ellen and Calico to run through. It was a fullteam effort that showcased just how dangerous this Wildcats squad can be when both sides of the ball are clicking.
By the final whistle, Checotah had piled up 485 yards of total offense, 160 through the air and a bruising 325 on the ground, while holding the Pirates to a mere 13 points.
The victory sets up a heavyweight clash next Friday, as the Wildcats return home to face the undefeated Muldrow Bulldogs (4-0) in a battle of district heavyweights. If Checotah brings the same energy and execution they unleashed against Locust Grove, the Bulldogs better be ready for a fight.
