ORLAND — After 11 long years, the Orland High football team has been crowned champions.
The top-seeded Trojans and their 13-0 unblemished record took down No. 3 seed University Prep of Redding 33-19 to claim the Northern Section Division III championship Saturday night at Roosevelt Field.
It’s the first title for Orland since 2011. Now, the Trojans will await to find out their next opponent as they advance to the CIF NorCal Regional Round of playoffs.
“To have a team like this put in the time and be as motivated as the coaches, it’s great to have both of those things at the same time,” said Orland head coach Nick Velazquez. “They want to get this done for the school, the community and all of us.”
Grant Foster, Orland’s standout senior quarterback and the school’s all-time leading scorer, continued the trend accounting for four TDs, all on the ground.
“This is what you always dream of — this moment,” Foster said. “I just knew my line was going to make those holes for me and let me break through whatever I needed. I gave all my effort on every run.”
Orland’s last appearance in a section title game was in 2015 where it lost to Sutter. Saturday night, the Trojans never trailed and were able to shake off early penalties and opening drive jitters.
“It’s been a great week. These kids were locked in. They’re ready for this,” Velazquez said. “Back in 2015, playing Sutter twice we had that feeling like ‘we’re not sure if the kids are already over football.’ This team I don’t get that vibe at all.”
During U-Prep’s last possession of the game, Orland’s Khalil Coley burst through the offensive line for a sack, looked toward the home crowd and could hear the cheers.
Once the final whistle blew, the Trojans jumped in celebration as they ended an 11-year championship drought.
Saturday’s game marked only the second matchup between the two schools as fans packed the bleachers on both the home and visitor sides of the stadium. U-Prep defeated Orland 30-27 in 2021.
The first play from scrimmage resulted in a fumble that Orland recovered. Then Orland was called for a holding penalty on the second play. The Trojans’ opening drive ended in a punt.
U-Prep (11-2) also started the game with a punt on its opening possession.
Following the Panthers’ punt, the Trojans were able to string together some offense. Lucas Landeros broke away for a 15-yard run on second down. Then Foster followed it up by scampering and weaving through the U-Prep defense for a 22-yard TD giving Orland a 7-0 lead with 14 seconds left in the first quarter.
However, penalties hindered the game for Orland as the Trojans racked up 11 penalties for 94 yards.
With the Panthers threatening to score on third and 1 inside the Trojans’ 5-yard line, Orland was called for offsides, gifting a first down to U-Prep.
The next play on first and goal was a 1-yard TD run from Braden Kemp to tie the game at 7-all with 8:48 in the second quarter.
Orland answered with another scoring drive built on its run offense. On second and goal, Foster found the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown run to swing the advantage back to the Trojans 14-7.
Following a Panthers’ punt, Orland made a charge at the tail end of the second quarter to try and carry a two-possession lead into halftime.
Foster connected with Alex Dominguez for a gain of 12 yards. Later in the drive, Dominguez hauled in another catch for 10 yards. With under a minute left until halftime, Jaime Albarran ran to his left to pick up 13 yards and get to the Panthers’ 2-yard line.
However, on the next play, U-Prep forced and recovered a fumble to halt Orland’s momentum going into the break.
In the second half, both teams came out of the locker room energized.
The Panthers’ first drive of the second half was fueled by a Mason Cassingham catch from Kaos Martin to pick up 21 yards on third-and-21. U-Prep facing fourth-and-4 from Orland’s 27 turned to Martin’s arm again as he connected with Kemp for a TD catch.
Instead of kicking an extra point, the Panthers went for two but were unsuccessful when Foster picked off the pass. Orland remained out front 14-13 with 6:07 remaining in the third quarter.
As the Trojans’ lead trimmed down to just one point, it took three plays to build more cushion.
On the ensuing kickoff, Martinez returned it to the U-Prep 44. Then Foster broke free to the right, cutting in between defenders for a 40-yard gain.
Then Martinez ran in for the 4-yard TD. The extra point failed but Orland stayed out front 20-13.
The Panthers’ next drive ended in another score when Cassingham ran in for a 1-yard TD. After the failed extra point, U-Prep trailed 20-19 heading into the final quarter.
With Orland at their own 42 on fourth down, Foster again came up clutch, breaking free for a 9-yard gain on a sweep to his left and keeping Orland’s drive alive.
Later, on third down, Foster again broke free for a big gain and a first down. A personal foul penalty on U-prep tacked on an extra 15 yards.
Facing second down and long, Foster navigated his way through the Panthers’ defense to pick up 17 yards. Foster followed it up with a 4-yard TD run to the outside giving Orland a 26-19 cushion.
Orland’s defense shined late, stifling any chance U-Prep had at tying the game. With the Panthers on third down at Orland’s 29, it was Thomas Schermer who broke up a Panthers’ pass and forced fourth down. U-Prep’s drive would end on a turnover on downs.
Orland’s final TD of the night came from Foster’s 2-yard run to push the lead to 33-19 with just over 2 minutes remaining.
“This was insanely special and it’s a special group of guys,” Foster said.
