Nordhoff Hits the Wall, 35-7 : Prep football: Swinton runs for 214 yards as Montclair Prep advances to Division IX final.

There were neither hanging of heads nor words of discontent from members of the Nordhoff High football team Saturday night after their 35-7 loss to Montclair Prep in the semifinals of the Southern Section Division IX playoffs at Valley College.

Instead, the Rangers (11-2) offered praise for their victorious opponent as they reflected on the best season in school history.

“We had a great, great season,” Nordhoff Coach Cliff Farrar said. “We set a school record for wins, we won nine in a row and we advanced to the semifinals.

“The kids’ accomplishments this season have been incredible. We just ran into a terrific team.”

The undefeated Mounties (12-0) will play Bishop Diego (9-3-1) next Saturday in the Division IX championship at a site to be determined. Montclair Prep will be making its fifth appearance in a section title game. The Mounties won titles in 1976 and ’90.

The Rangers finish with the best record in school history and advanced further in the playoffs than any previous Nordhoff team.

Led by tailback Eliel Swinton, Montclair Prep’s offense dominated the game. Swinton rushed for a game-high 214 yards and one touchdown in 23 carries.

Fullback Wilbert Smith also had a strong game, rushing for 117 yards and a touchdown in 14 carries. Perhaps the most encouraging performance, however, was turned in by quarterback Darrell Dent. He completed six of eight passes for 103 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Dent did not have a completion in the Mounties’ 15-0 quarterfinal win over South Torrance last week.

“I was forcing a lot of stuff down the field last week, and that only made me put pressure on myself,” Dent said. “I decided to just take things as they come this week, and look what happened.

“Now we just have to sustain our momentum for another week. I even think we can play better.”

The Mounties outgained the Rangers in total offense, 440 to 213. Nordhoff quarterback Steve Saum, who entered the game with a school-record 22 touchdown passes this season, completed 10 of 20 for 94 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Mounties put the game out of reach in the third quarter when Dent teamed with receiver Kimo Atkins for touchdown pass plays of 47 and 11 yards. The scores put Monclair Prep ahead, 27-7.

Montclair Prep led at halftime, 14-7. Swinton was dominant in the first half, gaining 156 yards and scoring a touchdown in only 11 carries. Montclair Prep outgained Nordhoff, 217 to 142, in the half.