Checotah proved they can win big last Friday (they won by 26) but on Friday they proved they can win the close ones too. They came out on top in a nail-biter against the Muldrow Bulldogs , sneaking past 48-45. The 48-point effort marked the Wildcats' lowest-scoring match of the season, but in the end it didn't matter.
Elijah Thomas was his usual excellent self, picking up 196 receiving yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 58 yards and a touchdown on only five carries. He didn't just play on offense: he also made seven total tackles (3.0 for loss) and defended a pass in addition to snagging two interceptions.
Checotah didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. In fact, those interceptions all came courtesy of defensive juggernaut Thomas. His receiving production has been exceptional recently as that marked his fifth straight game with at least 117 receiving yards dating back to last season.
Muldrow's loss came despite strong showings from Teaguen Collins and Deshawn Wilson. Collins rushed for 74 yards and two touchdowns, while Wilson gained 148 total yards. Collins also put in work on the defensive side of the ball, making 11 total tackles and defending a pass. Caden Grinstead got in on the action too, converting a pick into a touchdown.
The win (which was Checotah's third in a row) raised their record to 4-1. As for Muldrow, the defeat snapped their winning streak at four games and leaves them with a 4-1 record.
A feisty cat fight will be fought when Wildcats takes on Stigler at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. They will need to watch out since Checotah has now posted at least 31 points every time they've taken the field this season. As for Muldrow, they will venture away from home to take on Idabel at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Both teams are headed into the matchup with plenty of momentum (Idabel has won three straight at home, while Muldrow won three straight on the road), something that'll have to change.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
