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Wildcats’ task: Make sure the new claws fit

Lots of holes to fill for Checotah on both sides of ball

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By Eric Shannon Phoenix Correspondent

For the first time in three years, Checotah Wildcats head football coach Zac Ross finds himself in unfamiliar territory.

With only two returning starters on offense and three on defense for the 2022 season he doesn’t have experience and leadership to fall back on.

Seventeen combined starters and a pair of Division I players graduated has left the proverbial cupboard bare.

Add to that the Wildcats play in one of the toughest districts in Class 3A with dangerous squads like Lincoln Christian, Seminole and Stigler and former 4A Muldrow dropping down to join the fracas, District 3A-3 will be anything but a cakewalk to a postseason berth.

“We had a lot of talented players that we lost to graduation, so we’re going to be young, very young this season,” said Ross. “With what we’ve been doing this summer I am happy

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JOHN HASLER/Phoenix Special Photo

Checotah head coach Zac Ross gives advice to his squad during a practice session last week.

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Right, Checotah’s Levi Lawson attacks the sled.

CHECOTAH WILDCATS

Last season: 3-8, lost 3A first round.

Head coach: Zac Ross.

Staff: Rick Lang, defensive coordinator; Tom Butler, receivers/linebackers; Cody Prator, linemen; Brett Bouher, running backs/defensive line.

Returning starters (2 offensive, 3 defensive): Elijah Thomas, So., WR/DB, 6-1, 175; Jonah Marshall, Jr., G/DT, 6-0, 285; Kreed Hall, LB, 5-10, 185.

Emerging: Jacob Jones, Jr., QB, 6-3, 180; Jaydin Bray, Jr., WR, 6-0, 195; Reighn Westbrook, So., G, 5-10, 250; Isaiah Vargas, Sr., DE, 5-9, 180.

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with what we have, we have some kids that have to step up, learn fast, but we’ve been working hard and I’m excited to see what we can do this season.”

Ross will look upon a sophomore in wide receiver Elijah Thomas, who pulled in 33 catches and 641 yards receiving with seven touchdowns last season to lead his young and inexperienced offense. Thomas is the younger brother of four-year running back Dontierre Fisher, who signed a D-1 letter last winter. The younger brother has already caught the eye of University of Arkansas, which offered him after a summer football camp in June.

With Thomas on one side, Eufaula transfer, junior Jaydin Bray will take on the other receiver spot with Muskogee junior transfer Jacob Jones tasked with getting the ball to the duo.

With the pressure being put on Thomas as just a sophomore, he says he is ready to take on the task of leadership, together with those around him.

“We hold each other accountable out there,” he said. “It’s not about me, we are all working together, we want each other to succeed. We have guys on this team that can make plays like Jacob (Jones) and Jaydin (Bray), it’s a team game and we’re all going after that win.”

Bray concurs with Thomas that there are players ready to step up and fill in some roles.

“We have Lane Elliot and Tyler Orman that will step up at anytime. Because it is more than just one player, we are only as good as the team is,” Bray said.

Kreed Hall gets the call at the running back spot, for the departed Fisher. Hall rushed for over 300 yards last season on 47 carries.

The offensive line is where the real questions begin for Ross. The only returning starter is junior guard Jonah Marshall, which leaves all the other positions open for battle in fall camp.

“We have some challenges on the offensive line,” said Ross. “We’re going to have to grow up fast up front.” On the opposite side in a 4-2-5 set, the Wildcats will rely on senior defensive-end Isaiah Vargas and Hall from his linebacker spot to keep the opposing offense off the field. Hall recorded 83 tackles last seaRoss son as a junior. Senior Levi Lowe will be looked on to anchor the defense from his defensive tackle spot along with the 6-foot-5, 330-pound Levi Lawson and Marshall at 285. Thomas will return to his defensive back position, where he totaled 44 tackles in 2021 to lead an inexperienced defensive backfield. Doubters that they may have, the Wildcats have something to prove this season behind what could be an explosive team. “We have definitely gotten bigger and stronger and we’re working harder than in years past,” said Lowe. “I think we’re going to surprise some people, especially in our district.”

Thomas Bray Lowe

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