The Checotah Wildcats established a running attack that was led by Kreed Hall as they pounded the Haskell Haymakers 39-29 Friday in Haskell. It was a game that both teams combined for over 1,000 yards of offense. Checotah started the game on shaky ground as they gave up a couple of sacks and missed a 42-yard field goal by Carter Stewart. Haskell managed to score twice in the first quarter as quarterback Brannon Westmoreland ran in from five-yards out and two-point conversion was successful to take an 8-0 lead.
The Checotah Wildcats established a running attack that was led by Kreed Hall as they pounded the Haskell Haymakers 39-29 Friday in Haskell. It was a game that both teams combined for over 1,000 yards of offense. Checotah started the game on shaky ground as they gave up a couple of sacks and missed a 42-yard field goal by Carter Stewart. Haskell managed to score twice in the first quarter as quarterback Brannon Westmoreland ran in from five-yards out and two-point conversion was successful to take an 8-0 lead.
On Checotah’s next offensive possession a bad snap went high over Stewart’s head that resulted in a touchback to take a 10-0 lead. That’s when Checotah began to become more physical on the offensive line as they drove down field methodically and scored on a Bronson Bouher run. Haskell would answer he call with a pair of touchdowns to take a 23-7 lead.
Checotah then drove down the field on the heels of Hall who ran for 321 yards and two scores. The drive was capped off by Bouher on a 10-yard run to make it a 23-14 game.
Haskell then threw a 15yard touchdown pass to Dylan Ozinga to up 29-14. The Wildcats would answer he call as Bouher led his team down field on a series or short passes and runs to score from 12 yards out to go into the halftime break down 29-19.
The second half was Checotah as Bouher and the Wildcat defense took control of the football game. Bouher led Checotah to three touch- down drives with two coming from Hall on the ground and Bouher trotted in from two yards out. The key for Checotah was the defensive play. They dominated Haskell the second half of the game as they held them scoreless.
Another factor in the game was the kicking game of Checotah senior punter and kicker Carter Stewart was incredible after the 42-yard miss. He bombed multiple punts that pinned Haskell deep in their own territory and he was perfect on all PATs.
“I’m so proud of these guys. They showed a lot of resilience tonight. They never gave up and played all four quarters. We made our halftime adjustments and executed them in the second half. It feels good to get this win. I told the team I had never won a game on my birthday and they did it. Man I’m so happy for them and our fans,” Checotah head coach Zac Ross said.
Bouher was 10 of 21 for 11 yards and a touchdown and two rushing touchdowns. Hall had 34 carries for 321 yards and two touchdowns. Elijah Thomas led the team in receptions with six catches for 70 yards and Jacob Jones had three catches for 35 yards.
Lane Elliot was a beast on defense for Checotah. He had 9 tackles, Thomas had five tackles and Nathan Gray had four tackles.
The Wildcats racked up 439 total yards of offense while Haskell finished with 521 total yards. Checotah will travel to Eufaula on Friday for the 107th meeting between both schools. Kick off is at 7:30pm.
