By Tommy Cobb
CHECOTAH — The Checotah Wildcats were in need of a win after two consecutive losses. It didn’t matter how or what it looked like.
Checotah used a stout defensive performance and got a little luck when it needed it as the ninth-ranked Wildcats defeated Idabel 13-7 Friday night at Ogle Field.
“I knew this would be a tough game,” said Checotah coach Brandon Turley. “I didn’t think it would come down to the final three minutes. It was ugly. But a win is a win, and that’s what we needed.”
Checotah kept its home playoff hopes alive by improving to 4-2 in District 3A-4 and 7-2 overall. Idabel fell to 1-5 and 1-8.
Despite defensive domination and a late improvement in the running game, it was Chase Isaac’s fumble that looked like it would put the Warriors ahead with just over seven minutes to go in the game.
Checotah was driving after Chris Carr’s 49-yard run put the Wildcats inside Idabel’s 30-yard line. Isaac was on his way to a first down at the 21 when an Idabel defender knocked the ball loose. Kendrick Willis picked it up and was on his way to an Idabel touchdown when he dropped the ball and Checotah’s Zach Vinson recovered the ball at the Checotah 42.
“I just thought ‘Oh no,’” Turley said. “I was thinking we were going to have to put together a game winning drive when a little divine intervention took place. But, we’ve been there. Sometimes you’re just trying to make something happen and it doesn’t work out.”
Checotah had another chance to put the game away when a high snap on an Idabel punt attempt gave the Wildcats the ball at the Idabel 6 with 4:23 left. But on third down, Terry Lewis intercepted a Mike Easley pass and returned it to the 17 to give the Warriors one final chance.
Idabel moved the ball to the Checotah 46, but the Wildcat defense stiffened and stopped the Warriors on downs at the Checotah 42 with 35 seconds left. Dustin Howell and Jacob Steger led the defense each having four tackles for losses as Checotah held Idabel to just 74 yards rushing.
Checotah took advantage of a short field in the first half to set up both scoring drives. Carr, who finished with 142 yards rushing, capped a 24-yard drive with a 6-yard run to put Checotah ahead 6-0.
Howell’s 33-yard interception return in the second quarter gave Checotah the ball at the Warrior 25. It took seven plays, but Checotah was able to take a 13-7 lead on Deante Warrior’s 2-yard run.
