The No. 3 Sulphur Bulldogs (12-1) took a bite out of the No.8 Checotah Wildcats’ (8-5) dreams of winning a State Championship Friday night at Moore High School in the Class 3A State Semifinals as Sulphur prevailed 6821.
The Bulldogs took an early 7-0 lead on their second offensive possession and would never trail in the game.
“It was definitely a tough one to take last night. But I’m so proud of our kids and the commitment and dedication our seniors put into this school and our program,” Checotah head coach Zac Ross said.
Sulphur’s first score came in the first inning when the Bulldogs’ Maddax Mobly scored from two yards out and their two-point conversion failed. Checotah put together a great drive that started inside their own 20-yard line as the Wildcats used a series of runs by Jayden Ellen and passes by freshman quarterback Cole Rolland. The drive would end on the Sulphur 20-yard line as Checotah chose to go for it on a 4th down and long situation instead of kicking a field goal that would have made it a 7-3 football game.
The Wildcat defense started the game by forcing the Bulldogs to punt but fizzled after failing to convert a fourth and long possession. From that point on Sulphur’s offense began to control the football game.
The Bulldogs led 34-0 when Rolland threw a dart to Checotah senior Elijah Thomas for a 92–yard touchdown and extra point kick by Traegan Duvall to make the score 34-7.
Sulphur would answer the call as they scored two more touchdowns before the halftime break on a 24yard pass to Mobly and an eight-yard pass to Bridge Barrett.
Bulldog quarterback Luke Linville completed 14-of-19 passes for 304 yards and six touchdowns.
Checotah came out the second half focused as Rolland found Thomas again this time for a 60-yard touchdown and a 66-yard touchdown. But it would be too late as the Bulldogs sealed the 68-21 victory as they scored on 10 of 11 possessions in the first three quarters. Thomas finished with five catches for 234 yards and three touchdowns. Thomas finished the season with 1,789 yards receiving and 37 touchdowns. Rolland was 8-of-19 for 251 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
This was the first time since 1994 that the Checotah Wildcats made it to the semifinals.
Sulphur finished with 570 yards of total offense. The Bulldogs will play No.1 ranked Lincoln Christian Thursday for the Class 3A Championship at University Central Oklahoma at 7 p.m.. Lincoln Christian defeated No.2 ranked Heritage Hall 42-14.
