The start of the 2022 season has been challenging for OCP's football team. After winning a preseason kickoff classic against Wellington, a large-classification school from South Florida, the Warriors have struggled with their first two games of the season, losing to Wildwood and IMG Academy (White).

Despite the defeats, the Warriors face the Orangewood Christian School Rams to kickoff the district schedule bringing a renewed sense of purpose and excitement.  If the Warriors are to repeat their 2021 run to another regional championship, the race begins tonight.

FHSAA redefined classifications and regions in the Spring of 2022, and OCP finds them self in the new 1M (Metro), Region 1, District 2 with four other area schools - First Academy (Orlando), Foundation Academy (Winter Garden), Trinity Prep (Winter Park), and Orangewood Christian School (Maitland).

Orangewood enters the contest winless after losing to Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy 29-28 and Resurrection Christian (Colorado) 36-0. Under head coach Guerschom Demosthenes, the last two matchups have been controlled by the Warriors. OCP held the Rams scoreless in week 1 of the 2020 season, 23-0, and again in a FHSAA playoff contest in 2016, 39-0. The Rams have the overall series lead 3-2.

STARTING GAMES WITH BIG PLAYS

Junior Demarion Jenkins has been a big playmaker for the Warriors over the last two games with three touchdowns over 65 yards. He's led OCP to scores in their opening offensive possession in consecutive games.

In the season opener, he scored on a 70-yard touchdown play off a pass from senior quarterback Vilay Nakkoun. Then, in the following game against IMG Academy, with OCP trailing 7-0, the two connected again with an 81-yard play that would lead to a tie game. Jenkins would break off a 67-yard touchdown run late in the 4th quarter to further illustrate his play-making ability.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

In other first district matchup, Foundation Academy (1-1) will travel to Winter Park to play Trinity Prep (0-2). The First Academy (2-0) will travel for a non-district matchup against Mulberry (0-1).

Friday night's game for OCP will be played at Orangewood Christian School in Maitland, Florida. Kickoff is set for 7pm. Admission is $6, cash and card only. The game will be streamed online via Orangewood's NFHSNetwork.com webpage. Click HERE for the link.