The Checotah Wildcats fell in defeat to No.7 ranked Idabel Warriors 38-23. The Wildcats (6-3) scored first when senior receiver Elijah Thomas caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Cole Rolland. Checotah’s offensive line was giving Rolland plenty of protection early in the game and it paid off as Rolland threw a laser pass to Thomas for a 5 2-yard touchdown to take a 14-0 lead.

Idabel returned the favor as they scored on a run to cut the lead 14-7. However, Rolland would find Thomas again for a 23-yard touchdown to go up 21-7. The Warriors proved why they are ranked No. 7 and before you knew it it was a 2321 game at the halftime break.

The rushing game for Checotah was eliminated by Idabel as they held the Wildcats to just 36 total rushing yards and forced Checotah to go an unbalance offense.

The second half was all Idabel as they held Checotah to just 255 total offensive yards while the Warriors scored multiple touchdowns to seal the 38-23 victory.

Thomas finished with 199 yards receiving with three touchdowns. On the defense side of the football Elijah Mohammad led the team with 10 tackles with four for a loss. Jordan Ellen and Dylan Robinson each had eight tackles.

Checotah will host in-county rival Eufaula Friday night on the Wildcats Senior Night.