Montini’s Abrams-to-Ortegon combo against outlasts Carmel
There’s something special about Montini’s passing combination of quarterback Israel Abrams to receiver Damacio Ortegon — particularly against Carmel.
On Friday the senior duo clicked on touchdown passes of 15, 33 and 45 yards. For a second straight season against Carmel, Ortegon made that last one count as the game-winner in Montini’s 42-35 Chicago Catholic League crossover win at Chris Andriano Field in Lombard.
“Last year I actually scored the game-winning touchdown, 90-yarder. I always like to show my best when I go against these kids,” said Ortegon, who caught 11 passes for 233 yards including the winner with 2:38 remaining.
In last season’s 55-54 victory over the Corsairs, Ortegon caught 7 passes for 203 yards.
“Me and Izzy definitely do got something going on with this opponent,” Ortegon said.
Montini (4-1) took what it felt Carmel (2-3) gave them, Abrams twice finding Ortegon behind the defense.
“Teams are loading the box and they’re bringing heat and they’re manning us up. That dictates the style of offense you’ve got to have. You’re going to be a big-play offense now. You have to take advantage of that, and you have to go over the top, and we do,” said Broncos coach Mike Bukovsky.
On third-and-5 from Carmel’s 45-yard line, leading 34-28 inside of three minutes to play, some may have expected Montini to run the ball.
Not Miami commit Abrams, who completed 15 of 30 passes for 307 yards and broke a 21-21 tie after three quarters on a 4-yard scramble.
“I think you let your players use the best of their abilities, because that’s what the Lord blessed them with it for,” said the 6-foot-5 slinger. “He wouldn’t give it to them unless He didn’t want them to shine in moments like this.”
Good thing for the Broncos, because Carmel never went away. Following linebacker Jameer Miles’ caused fumble and recovery, Corsairs senior quarterback Reed Dangel threw a quick out to Kyron Hart for a 17-yard touchdown. Milun Katdare’s kick had Carmel within 42-35 with 1:29 left.
Carmel’s defense forced a three-and-out, but the offense couldn’t encroach past Montini’s 48-yard line as time expired.
“It’s an encouraging sign,” said Dangel, 27-of-42 passing for 276 yards including touchdowns of 4 and 26 yards to Tatum Napier, who had 74 yards receiving.
“We fought hard,” Dangel said. “We had big plays, so we have a lot of momentum moving into the next week and the rest of the games this year.”
Carmel’s Jordan Moore ran for 1- and 2-yard touchdowns. Teammate Jaquel Edmonds had 80 yards rushing.
Montini’s Eddie Kowalczyk snapped a 14-14 halftime tie on a 36-yard touchdown run and finished with 98 yards rushing.
The Broncos tallied interceptions by Ortegon, Frankie Carbonara, and deliciously, by 280-pound senior nose tackle Andrew Ayala. He alertly snagged a first-quarter screen pass and rumbled 26 yards for a touchdown.
“I was ready for it,” said Ayala, in his second season playing on the defensive line.
“I saw all that field, it was a surreal feeling. It was amazing. The greatest play of my life.”