4A State Championship Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “BLACKFRIDAY2025” for 50% off your annual subscription THIS WEEK ONLY***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 4A state championship game on Friday night saw Montini go back to back after winning the crown in 3A a year ago.&nbsp; The topped Rochester by a final of 47-33.&nbsp; It was a matchup of historic programs with explosive offenses.&nbsp; Montini had the best player on the field and that was the biggest difference.&nbsp; We look at the game and prospects in our <strong>4A State Championship Takeaways!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Abrams Shows Out on Big Stage</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montini 2027 quarterback Israel Abrams has the bullseye on him every time he steps on the field as the top quarterback and #2 overall prospect in the junior class.&nbsp; He hasn't lost a game…..ever as a starter.&nbsp; Steps up to the challenge every time and that is exactly what he did in the state championship game.&nbsp; He had moments where he had to face some challenges especially after throwing two picks, but he is different because he followed that up by ripping a 3^rd and 19 pass for a first down with his back in his own endzone.&nbsp; Abrams plays with a ton of confidence and poise.&nbsp; His vision really stands out and has since the first time we saw him.&nbsp; The way he reads the field and processes information is absolutely next level!&nbsp; Really like how he maneuvers in the pocket with quick moves shuffling to avoid pressure and can also throw on the run when needed.&nbsp; He puts the correct amount of zip on different passes.&nbsp; He will throw the fastball when he needs to fit it in tight or on a quick route.&nbsp; The deep ball is a thing of beauty as it consistently has excellent touch on it.&nbsp; Can run when he needs to including on designed RPOs.&nbsp; His final stat line read 20/30 for 418 yards, 4 TDs, and 2 interceptions.&nbsp; Also had 46 rushing yards and 1 touchdown on the ground.&nbsp; The most important stat is #2 as in his second state championship. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Massive Game for Montini 2027 Wide Receiver</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montini got a big game from junior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1274195' first='Damacio' last='Ortegon'].&nbsp; Showed he could do it all.&nbsp; Short passes he ran crisp routes.&nbsp; Got in and out of cuts very well.&nbsp; Snatches ball out of the air on slant.&nbsp; Caught a 52 yard touchdown on a nice route where he got separation and then broke away from the defense.&nbsp; Also had an unreal catch adjusting to the ball in the air with a defender draped on him.&nbsp; Name to watch this off season as he had 7 catches for 167 yards and 1 touchdown.&nbsp; Luca Florio also had a big game including tipping off a 79 yard touchdown to start the second half where he won on a go route and then proceeded to evade the defenders chasing him.&nbsp; Finished with 130 yards and a pair of touchdowns.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='209448' first='Nico' last='Castaldo'] had 71 yards and a score in the game.&nbsp; Good going over the middle, shifty with bubble screens getting YAC, and got loose in the corner of the endzone for his score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Flowers Brings the Power</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They also got tough yards on the ground in this one courtesy of Charles Flowers.&nbsp; The 5'8” 185 pound senior is a tank with the ball in his hands as he ran with a ton of ferocity throughout the win.&nbsp; Racked up 103 yards and 2 touchdowns on 13 carries.&nbsp; Good game from the Montini offensive line as they protected Abrams and pounded the rock on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Momentum Twist and Turns of Second Half</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were some quick momentum turns in the game.&nbsp; It looked like Montini was primed to run away and hide several times, but Rochester would reel them back in.&nbsp; Montini opened the second half with two quick scores sandwiched with a redzone stop inside the five on defense.&nbsp; Then momentum flipped when Rochester got back to back interceptions of Abrams and their running back Evrim Tabag punching it in twice to cut it to 34-26 heading into the fourth quarter.&nbsp; Abrams got out of a 3^rd down and 19 in his endzone by completing a pass over the middle.&nbsp; Then it looked like he lost a fumble to Rochester, but he was ruled down.&nbsp; Long pass to Ortegon and a Flowers run later Montini was back in the endzone and never looked back.&nbsp; It was like a heavy weight fight in the 3^rd and early 4^th quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rochester 2028 Back Emerges</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Came away very impressed with 5'9” 195 pound sophomore running back Evrim Tabag.&nbsp; He is a thick bodied back that runs with burst and power.&nbsp; He ran over defenders and laid the hammer multiple times to his opponents trying to tackle him.&nbsp; He had three touchdowns in the game along with 69 total yards on the ground.&nbsp; Their senior back Kaiden Stout is a high cut back that can definitely play at the next level.&nbsp; Follows his blocks well and hits the hole.&nbsp; Showed pop on a 44 yard run.&nbsp; Capable pass catcher as well.&nbsp; Ran for 94 yards in the game.&nbsp; Another name to remember is 2028 5'10” 150 pound wide receiver Khordell Gregory.&nbsp; Quick playmaker that is going to develop into a go to weapon the next two seasons for Rochester.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Prospects That Caught Our Attention</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While this was an offensive game there were still quite a few players we noted in the game from a scouting standpoint on defense.&nbsp; On the Montini side [player_tooltip player_id='1669894' first='Orlando' last='Greco'] was a force as he flows so easily to the ball racking up 11 tackles taking excellent angles to the ball.&nbsp; Payton Nelson had 7 tackles along with an interception.&nbsp; Defensive lineman Johnny Louise made an interception from his defensive lineman spot as linebacker Santino&nbsp;Tenuta was getting after the QB and tipped it to Louise.&nbsp; Tenuta is a stocky linebacker that runs well making plays.&nbsp; Top two prospects on this defense were defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1334146' first='Namari' last='Anderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1549620' first='Blake' last='Pohlman'].&nbsp; Anderson is one of the better nose tackles in the state.&nbsp; He is a guy at 6'3” 280 pounds that will take up space inside so his backers can run free behind him.&nbsp; He made a massive stuff on 4^th and goal with Pohlman to stop a drive in the second half.&nbsp; Speaking of the freshman at 6'3” 215 pounds [player_tooltip player_id='1549620' first='Blake' last='Pohlman'] has a really bright future.&nbsp; Made multiple tackles in space including a TFL on a reverse.&nbsp; Rangy making plays in the open field.&nbsp; Can rush and play the run.&nbsp; Left in the 4^th quarter with what looked like an ankle injury.&nbsp; Name you are going to be hearing more about!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the Rochester side 6'3” 230 pound defensive end Connor Broughton left everything on the field.  He had 8 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2.5 tackles for loss.  The frame, power, and athleticism all mix well as an edge player that can also stand up and play linebacker along with getting after the QB.  Batted down a pass running after Abrams in the endzone.  He also contributed on special teams making a tackle flying down the field.  Heading into NSD next week this is a late bloomer that needs some attention!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->