Abrams leaves with injury as Morris knocks out two time defending state champion Montini

The storied high school football career of Israel Abrams came to an end Saturday night when Montini dropped its second round game at Morris, 41-7.

After endless highlights, a pair of state titles, and an ascent to national recruiting prominence, Abrams watched from the sidelines while his Broncos were eliminated from Class 4A.

A third quarter ankle injury suffered on a blindside hit while Morris led 21-7 kept the five-star signal caller out of the action for much of the second half.

“First and foremost, I just thank everybody on this coaching staff and team that has impacted me in the school — people, classmates, anybody that has helped me,” said Abrams.

“I came in knowing one person at the school,” he continued. “Coach (Mike Bukovsky) gave me a chance … three years later, we’re two time state champions.”

Montini defeated Morris in the semifinals on their way to the 4A championship last season.

This is Montini’s first loss to the Warriors in program history. They are now 3-1 all-time against Morris.

“We came out this year, we fought, man,” Abrams said.

Trailing 7-0 in the second quarter, Abrams bailed from a collapsing pocket and made a break for the end zone.

The Miami-commit put his body on the line, taking a shot to the ribs as he brought his offense to the one-yard line before plunging forward one play later to tie the game.

“He’s had a rib injury and he hasn't been 100% for a few weeks,” Bukovsky said. “He got cracked pretty good. He was struggling to breathe for a little bit there.”

Meanwhile, the Broncos defense was struggling to contain Morris quarterback Marion Persich.

The 6-foot-2 transfer was a key difference maker for the Warriors. He grew up playing running back and made an impact with his physicality.

“I have never really been scared of contact,” said Persich. “I love contact.
I mean, if I see someone, I'm gonna go and try and hit them.”

After a special teams score made it 14-7 Morris heading into halftime, Persich drove his team the length of the field to make it 21-7 on a QB sneak without throwing a pass the entire possession.

“[Persich] did a good job,” said Bukovsky. “But I tell you what, our defense hung in there and got a couple stops in the second half, and we kept us in the game.”

In need of a third quarter spark, Abrams dropped back to pass, looking downfield just as a Morris defender delivered the massive hit that knocked the Montini star out of the game.

Without Abrams, things got out of hand. Morris tacked on three fourth quarter scores to put the game away.

“I don't care that we lost, to be honest.
I care that everyone's still here, keeping it cordial with each other after not bailing on any teammates.” said Abrams, as his teammates supported each other throughout an emotional postgame huddle.