The 109th meeting between the Checotah Wildcats and the Eufaula Ironheads will take place Friday night November 8 at Ray Grandstaff Stadium in Checotah. This is a crucial game for both teams. For the Wildcats, Checotah is in a must-win situation with a 6-3 record and if they plan on making the playoffs they need to finish at 7-3 because they have missed the playoffs in the past with a 6-4 record and head coach Zac Ross is not looking to stay home next week.

For Eufaula, it’s a matter of pride of winning back the McIntosh County Championship Cup and playing the spoiler in ending the Wildcats’ chances of making the playoffs. Checotah has an edge on the overall record with 54-53-1 in 108 years of playing Oklahoma’s Longest Uninterrupted High School Football rival.

Both teams match up fairly equal with some differences. Eufaula will face quarterback Cole Rolland (6’1”, 190 pounds), who has a rocket for an arm and is a pure pocket passer. Checotah will face a dual threat quarterback in Ledger Folsom who can beat you with his legs and his arm if he has a good night.

The last time Eufaula head coach faced a Checotah Division I receiver was in the 100th meeting when Drew Dan scored five touchdowns in every facet that you can in football. That receiver this year is Elijah Thomas, who has committed to the University of Oklahoma. Thomas is a threat wherever he is on the football field. For the Wildcats, they will focus on receiver/db Maddox Bridges, who will most likely match up against Thomas on both sides of the football.

Both teams have great running backs: Peter Lee for the Ironheads and Jaydin Ellen for the Wildcats. Each is explosive, tough and runs with authority. Rolland will have multiple targets with 6’6” tight end Brian Love, Thomas, Ellen and Kaden Rice.

Folsom will look toward Bridges, Lee, Doltyn Lane, Dresden Chiles and Elijah Holley.

Both teams’ offensive and defensive lines are equally matched up. Checotah will more than likely attack the Ironheads secondary while Eufaula will focus on getting Lee’s rushing attack going.

At the linebacker position both teams have solid, violent, hard-hitting players with Brian Lynn, Luke Hodgins and Arron Spoehr for Eufaula and Checotah will have Kaden Rice, Jordan Ellen and Jaydan Casey. This is the area that I believe will determine the game. With both teams chomping at the bit and ready to see who has the bragging rights, it just may come down to who has the football last who wins the game.