While the Central Tigers missed out just barely on having a Week 11 Class A, Division II playoff game, two members of the team will get one more game under their belts as Central Tigers.
Central Tigers seniors Braxton Prewett and Mekko Ariza will represent the school and Sequoyah County at the 2025 Native All-American Football Game, which will kick off at 11 a.m. Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, the home of the National Football League’s Minnesota Vikings.
Prewett and Ariza will arrive in the Twin Cities today, followed by a banquet at 6:30 p.m. Saturday before playing in the big game the following day. Both players are excited for the opportunity.
“I was really nervous at first (after getting the invitation), and it was really shocking,” Prewett said. “I was so thrilled to get to have an experience like this. I was really happy.”
“I got the e-mail (invitation) and I just started jumping for joy,” Ariza said. “At first, I had to read the whole e-mail. It said ‘Congratulations.’ I called my mom. I told her, ‘I made it! I made it!’ I’m just exciting to get to go play, and go travel the states. We were just honored to get picked and get to support Central (Public Schools).”
Getting to play on the same turf as current Minnesota Vikings players like quarterback J.J. McCarthy and wide receiver Justin Jefferson will be a thrill.
“Personally, I’ve never been to an NFL stadium, so it will be a new experience,” said Prewett, who is Cherokee.
“I’m glad to get to go play in an NFL stadium,” said Ariza, who is Muskogee-Creek. “I’ve never been in an NFL stadium, either.”
The Central duo is looking forward to playing with and against some of the nation’s best Native American high school football players.
“It’s real thrilling,” Prewett said. “After talking to some of the people who I’ll be playing with and against, looking at them, they’re big, stout boys.”
“I’m excited to get to go play against well-disciplined athletes,” Ariza said. “I’m ready to go play and give it my all. I’m excited.”
Both players are hoping that some college scouts may reach out to them during their participation in the big event.
“I’m really hoping for that,” Prewett said. “I’m looking for new places to go play at the next level. It would really be great if that would happen.”
“I would take it (a college offer) and roll with it,” Ariza said. “I’m down for it. It would be such an honor to play at the next level.”
The Tigers’ terrific twosome can’t wait to see what the experience will hold for each of them when it’s all said and done.
“Getting to see all the different type of Native Americans out there will be great,” Prewett said. “I know every person in themselves are different, and that means a lot to me — getting to know everybody else.”
“I’m looking forward to meet new friends and new connections,” Ariza said. “Everybody is from everywhere — some are from Hawaii, California and Canada. It’s just going to be an experience to learn about other Native American cultures. It’s just going to be a good experience in all. I’m ready for the experience.”
