Athlete of the Week: Brighton's Ashton Tomassi carries hoops success to gridiron
Ashton Tomassi always seems to do something that requires a deep dive into the archives.
During basketball season, he became the first Brighton boy to score 30 points in a game since Bryan Bollin had 37 against Redford Thurston in a 2008 regional semifinal.
On the football field, he continues accomplishing things that don’t happen every year at Brighton.
Tomassi caught three touchdown passes Oct. 7 in a 34-7 victory over Plymouth, boosting his season total to seven touchdown catches.
He’s the first Bulldog to catch three touchdown passes in a game since Zach Nichols caught three against Rockford in the state semifinals on Nov. 19, 2005. Tomassi is the first Brighton player with seven touchdown catches in a season since Dan Buschman had seven in 2012.
“He’s got some miss to him,” Brighton coach Brian Lemons said. He can really put his foot in the ground and accelerate. It makes him tough to contain when he gets the ball. He’s pretty skilled.”
Tomassi’s three touchdowns against Plymouth came on a night when he had only four total catches and 33 yards. His touchdown catches covered 11, 6 and 6 yards.
“My coach has seen me do well within the 10-yard line,” Tomassi said. “He knows I’m physical enough and can get in the end zone. I think I’m good at breaking tackles and finishing forward.”
Through seven weeks, Tomassi led Brighton with 27 receptions, but receiver Mason Millhouse (19) and running back Carson Shrader (16) were close behind. Receiver Jack Gregorich had 11 catches.
Tomassi has been getting in the end zone regularly, despite not being a focal point of the offense.
“From a game-planning standpoint, we’re not dialing in on individual guys to get the ball to,” Lemons said. “That’s what great about Colin (McKernan, Brighton’s quarterback); he’s been able to take what the defense gives him. It just happened to be Tomassi’s night to get the ball in the end zone. The ball’s been spread around well between three or four guys. I can’t say on a weekly basis who will be the leader of the bunch.”
Tomassi is only in his second season working with senior quarterback Colin McKernan. He transferred to Brighton in 10th grade after attending school in Hartland and at Detroit Catholic Central.
“He knows when I’m open, he’ll get me the ball,” Tomassi said. “I trust him 100%.
After earning Livingston County Player of the Year during basketball season, Tomassi was leaning heavily toward continuing his career in that sport after high school. Now that he’s in the middle of a highly successful football season, he’s not as sure.
“I feel like my feelings changed, depending on the season,” he said. “Being around my teammates, I see how much they care. It makes me care that much more. In basketball, it’s the same thing.”
Tomassi has been focused on football since practice began in August. He played AAU hoops over the summer, but hasn’t touched a basketball much since then.
“I’ve probably shot 10 times since football season started, so not very much,” he said. “In the summer, I was probably shooting every single day. I’d go and play catch with friends in the summer every other day.”
Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillKhan.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Brighton's Ashton Tomassi carries hoops success to gridiron
