Montclair Prep Tradition Still Endures : Football: Sophomore Swinton steps up after Sparks’ departure and becomes the latest in a line of extraordinary Mountie running backs.

A grainy game film flickers on the chalkboard in the darkened coaches’ room at Montclair Prep.

A Mountie tailback bursts through the middle of the L. A. Baptist defense and cuts back across the grain, leaving tacklers in his wake. With one defender between him and the end zone, the tailback fakes right, then executes a 360-degree turn. The defender grabs air.

Montclair Prep’s coaches are delighted, reviewing the play repeatedly. They are expecting that tailback to play a large role in tonight’s 7:30 game against rival Village Christian at Kennedy High with the Alpha League championship at stake.

It is no surprise that a tailback is drawing raves at Montclair Prep this year. But Eliel Swinton?

Thrust into the spotlight when Derek Sparks and his high-scoring, juking act bolted from Montclair Prep after the Mounties’ first game, the sophomore has responded sensationally to his starting role.

Swinton, 15, has gained 1,254 yards in 160 carries and has rushed for 16 touchdowns. After eight games, he is just five yards behind Glendale’s Pathon Rucker for the area rushing lead and has helped Mountie fans erase memories of Sparks.

Swinton doubted he could fill Sparks’ cleats when he was given the starting tailback job before the Simi Valley game on Sept. 14.

“This year, we were getting closer,” Swinton said of his relationship with Sparks. “He was giving me little tips on running and we were talking a lot more.

“Then when he left, I was like, ‘Oooooo. Why ?’ I didn’t feel I was ready.”

Swinton was ready. He rushed for 252 yards and a touchdown against Simi Valley.

While Swinton (5-foot-9, 173 pounds) helped erase memories of Sparks, he also rekindled memories of a famous Montclair Prep family. Eliel’s brothers, Rich and Jamal, also starred for the Mounties.

“I think he’ll be the best of the three,” Montclair Prep Coach George Giannini said.

Rich, now at Washington State, rushed for 2,265 yards and 26 touchdowns in 1986. Jamal, a 1989 graduate, earned a scholarship at Colgate.

“I’m proud of my brothers,” Eliel said. “They call and ask me how I’m doing in the games and things like that. I just say, ‘I’m doing all right.’ ”

Might there be a friendly sibling rivalry building, perhaps something in the way of I-can-gain-more-yardage-for-Montclair-Prep-than-you-ever-did?

Swinton breaks a grin: “I’m trying to (break Rich’s mark).”

Village Christian Coach Mike Plaisance knows that Swinton, running behind a formidable offensive line, will be difficult to stop.

“Not taking anything away from him, but he’s got a great supporting cast,” Plaisance said of the Mountie line, led by 6-foot-7, 280-pound Donovan Roy. “But all of the skills of a good, quality Division I back are there with Eliel. And I’m sure that before he’s done he will rewrite the rushing records at Montclair Prep.”

Plaisance, of course, would be delighted if none of the writing was done tonight. The schools engage in a spirited rivalry, and this year’s game matches the No. 2 (Village Christian) and No. 3 (Montclair Prep) teams in the Southern Section’s Division X.

Giannini and Plaisance have been caught up in the excitement too, trading mini-barbs all week. Giannini insisted that his Mounties must be considered at least 10-point underdogs, claiming that “Mike Plaisance has built another championship team.” Plaisance shot back: “Listen to George. He’s full of the hype. His smallest lineman is bigger than my biggest .”

Swinton, meanwhile, says that he will prepare for the game in the quiet manner that reflects his persona. “Practice hard,” is how he says he will be ready. “Work on my moves.”

Moves that Plaisance--and other Alpha League coaches--likely will be studying on grainy film in darkened rooms for years.