Orlando Christian Prep

November 19, 2021 -- Maitland, FL

The Orlando Christian Prep Warriors played like a team that had been to the playoffs before, as well as a No.1-seed in the FHSAA regional playoffs. But they haven't. This was the first year for OCP's football program competing as a playoff-eligible member of the FHSAA, the first season in the FHSAA playoffs, and the first season as the No.1-seed in Region 2.

The season of first continued as the Warriors scored the first 19 points of the game on their way to defeating No.4-seed Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy 47-12 in wet conditions at Orangewood Christian.

Neither weather conditions, nor the Tigers defense could slow down sophomore running back Demarion Jenkins, who scored the first touchdown in FHSAA playoff history late in the first quarter. Then, Jenkins added two more scores with blazing runs from 52 and 43 yards to break the game open at 19-0.

Quarterback Vilay Nakkoun found Jenkins for his fourth touchdown of the game in the middle of the 3rd quarter (7:57), and on the next drive found junior Brian Thomas for a 33-yard touchdown run after catch to extend the lead to 34-6.  Thomas added his second score of the game on a 2 yard run with 9:42 in the 4th quarter to seal the victory.

Offensively, the Warriors gained 509 yards of total offense, rushing for 364 yards on 32 carries with Jenkins and Thomas gaining over 100-yards each. Jenkins rushed eight times for 122 yards (15.3 avg) with 168 all-purpose yards and Thomas rushed 13 times for 118 yards (9.1 avg).with 166 all-purpose yards.

Thomas led the defense with five tackles and Jenkins was one of three defenders with an interception. The Warriors did a great job limiting the prolific Holy Trinity passing offense to under 300 yards.

OCP advanced to the Regional Championship game on Friday November 26 and will host No.2-seed Zephyrhills Christian Academy at Orangewood Christian.  The two teams previously met in the final regular season contest of the season on November 5. OCP won 15-12 at Zephyrhills Christian.