Nordhoff varsity football team wins its first CIF championship
Nordhoff’s Brad Sloan (right) goes up to defend a pass Saturday night against Torrance in the CIF Championship game. (photo by Ken Brown)
Dec. 3, 2012
Mike Miller, mike@ojaivalleynews.com
The fifth time was the charm for the Nordhoff High School football program. After making it to the CIF – Southern Section finals in 1994, 1996, 1999, and 2007 and coming up short, the Rangers finally notched their first ever CIF title on the gridiron Saturday night by defeating a tough North Torrance team, 31-14.
The Rangers jumped out to an early 7-0 lead when Tayler Livingston went 62 yards for the score on the team’s first play from scrimmage. The Saxons would eventually tie the score at 7-7 and the two teams went into halftime tied at 7.
In the second half, the Rangers received the ball first and speedy senior Eric Lara took the opening kickoff 95 yards for the touchdown to give NHS a 14-7 advantage. Head coach Tony Henney said, “That play by Lara was the biggest play in the history of Nordhoff football.”
Nordhoff would score two more times in the third quarter to break the game open, one on a Tanner Workman pass to Lara and a 19-yard scoring run by Livingston. Sophomore kicker Cooper Garcia would cap the scoring with a fourth quarter field goal.
After the game, the Rangers were presented with their CIF championship trophy in front of a large group of Nordhoff fans that braved the wet weather to witness history. For more information, stats and quotes from Nordhoff’s historic night, see the OVN sports section.
Congratulaions to the Nordoff football program for winning its first CIF title in 47 years. I played for Nordoff and so did my brother, and anyone else who played for Nordoff is just as happy for this team too.
Congratulations to Norfoff’s Varsity football team!
It finally happened Nordoff football team winning a CIF Title. I am very happy for those players, the school and the town of Ojai. I played for Nordoff back in 1988 and that team was 0-10. I am sure anyone who has played on Nordoff football team is happy for this team and Coach Henney. The best thing is no one can take it away from them!
We moved back to Ojai from a 19 year absence, just in time. One of the reasons for moving back was, our Grandson was on the football team,for his last year. Thank you Austin for making our move back worth every penny, Thank you” RANGERS” you put a happiness in us and Ojai we can never pay back. THANK YOU!
When I went to school at Nordhoff, the only thing the football team ever won was the bucket game with Villanova. Congratulations to the football program & fans…..
I was at the game and it was an awesome performance by the entire team! I am so lucky to have a son play on the team and witness history! These boys will remember this for the rest of their life!
If it was not for the awesome fans we have, Im not sure if we could of pulled this off! Rangers Rule!