Miami recruit Abrams totals 4 more touchdowns in Montini’s rout of Marmion

For Israel Abrams and Montini, it was just another Friday night on their home field in Lombard. For Marmion, it was a chance to face the Miami commit who is almost unmatched nationally in the 2027 recruiting class.

The Broncos (6-2) were so dominant in their 49-7 win over the banged-up Cadets (3-5) that a running clock was put into use for the entire second half.

“When that's happening, you get to sit after the first half,” said Abrams, who was among those afforded that luxury.

By the time the Broncos had a 42-0 halftime lead, the only drama for their fans was whether the fathers of the dance team members could keep in step during their traditional routine with their daughters. The answer to that question was that they did well enough.

As for how Montini got there, Abrams threw three touchdowns in the first half, two to fellow senior Daniel Sago in his first game back from a knee injury he suffered two weeks earlier. The third went to another senior, Damacio Ortegon.

Eddie Kowalczyk, another senior, ran for a touchdown in the second quarter. Abrams capped his night and the first-half scoring by getting his own rushing touchdown when he couldn’t find an open receiver in or near the end zone. That made four touchdowns for which he was responsible.

“We've got the best offensive coaches, I think, in the state,” Sago said. “And they just push us to our best level, which is great.”

Luca Florio added to the cause on special teams in the opening half by returning a punt for a touchdown.

The scoring continued in the third quarter. Sophomore linebacker Julian Figueroa had his first interception of the season, and that set up Charlie Bliss to throw a 5-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Joey Neustadt on his third reception of the quarter.

“I think our receivers are all unsung heroes,” said Montini coach Mike Bukovsky. “They all could go other places and be the guy. They all could get 70, 80 catches somewhere else. But they stay here, and we work within a system. They all work off each other. They don't complain and moan if they don't get the ball. They're all No. 1 receivers. All of them.”

The Cadets found life in the fourth quarter when Colin McEniry threw passes for 33 and 28 yards to Garrick Dodendorf, the latter of which set up first-and-goal during the final minute. Two plays later, McEniry found Dodendorf in the end zone from 3 yards out, avoiding the shutout.

Marmion coach Adam Guerra already moved past Abrams and Montini in favor of one particular goal the expanded playoffs have made possible.

“Marmion hasn't had a home playoff game in a long time,” he said. “If we can get a win next Friday (against Niles Notre Dame), that can put us in a position to have a home playoff game, which would be epic.”