Marcus Abrams interception preserves Ramona football team’s win over Rancho Mirage – Press Enterprise

RIVERSIDE — Ramona football coach Ken Mushinskie was handed a package shortly before 6 p.m. Thursday night.

Inside that package was a brand new Columbia blue Ramona High School home football jersey emblazoned with the No. 12.

“Hang on a moment. I need to get this to one of our guys,,” Mushinskie said after a brief conversation before Thursday’s game.

Marcus Abrams was thrilled when he saw what was inside the box. And Abrams made the evening  even more memorable when he intercepted a pass near the goal line in the final seconds to preserve Ramona’s 28-21 nonleague victory over Rancho Mirage.

“I have been waiting to get this,” Abrams said. “It’s a real blessing. I’m really looking forward to putting my mark on the No. 12.”

Kody Shinar previous wore that number for the Rams. In last season’s playoff game against Rio Hondo Prep, Shinar was injured during the second half and was treated on the field. Emergency medical technicians had to cut off the jersey during that process. That jersey now hangs on a wall at the Shinar home. It was sewn up, framed and presented to Shinar at a graduation celebration.

A new No. 12 home jersey had to be ordered. Abrams wore No. 24 for the home opener against Arlington on Aug. 29. He did get to wear No. 12 at home last week, as the Rams wore their alternate military jerseys against Hillcrest.

“Ken’s Sporting Goods made it happen,” Mushinskie said of the new jersey. “He was excited and made a big play at the end.”

Ramona (4-0) dominated the opening half and led 28-7 at halftime. But the Rams were given quite the scare in the second half.

Rancho Mirage (2-2) had two opportunities to tie the score or even take the lead in the fourth quarter. The first drive was dashed by an errant snap, but the Rattlers regained possession on their 25 with just under 2 minutes left on the clock. Julian Hernandez connected with Jeremiah Johnson for a 38-yard gain to put the ball in Ramona territory. Rancho Mirage moved closer following a penalty and a 16-yard completion from Hernandez to Chase Miller. The Rattlers were on the Ramona 11 with seconds remaining.

Hernandez tried to sling a ball to Johnson in the right corner of the end zone, but Abrams slid across and intercepted the pass.

“I was covering No. 6 (Aniken Castrejon), but I knew No 2 (Johnson) was their guy,” Abrams said. “I saw the QB really wanted to go to No. 2, so I just planted my feet, drove on the ball and got the pick. … I think that is a good first mark for me with this jersey.”

Rancho Mirage’s defense forced a turnover on the game’s opening possession. And the Rattlers cashed in about 2 1/2 minutes later, when Hernandez found Johnson on a slant pass over the middle for a 10-yard touchdown.

The rest of the opening half belonged to Ramona.

Lorenzo Sims gained 26, 14 and 14 yards on three straight carries, and Jesus Gonzalez found Isaac Mata for an 8-yard touchdown to help the Rams respond and level the score.

Ramona scored three times in a span of 6 minutes in the second quarter. Sims capped a 14-play drive with a 3-yard run, and he added a 42-yard touchdown 3 minutes later. Gonzalez and Mata connected again for a 26-yard strike with 1:40 left in the half.

“Our offensive line did a great job. We were running the counter and trap (with Sims) very well in the first half,” Mushinskie said. “Don’t want to say we took our foot off the gas. Rancho Mirage did stuff up front defensively that made it difficult in the second half.”

Sims finished with 177 yards on 24 carries and added two catches for 28 yards to push him over 200 yards from scrimmage.