Whitman football's Jason Thompson catches winning touchdown in final of Suffolk's 7-on-7 tournament
Whitman receiver Jason Thompson celebrates after his winning reception at the 5th annual 7-on-7 Tournament of Bad Habits at Northport High School on Tuesday. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
Jason Thompson of Whitman hadn’t been stopped all evening. With a chance to bring home a 7-on-7 title against Huntington, the junior wide receiver saw the ball in the air and knew it was his.
“I wasn’t coming down without it,” Thompson said with a smile.
Quarterback Dodge Alahverdian lofted the football toward Thompson, who leaped and came down with the game-winning touchdown catch despite a two-handed shove. Thompson tossed the ball into the air as his teammates rushed toward him and lifted him onto their shoulders in celebration.
Whitman went 5-0 and captured the fifth annual Tournament of Bad Habits 7-on-7 title at Northport High School on Tuesday night.
The championship game used an overtime format. Huntington and Whitman each scored on their opening possession. Then Whitman got a stop, setting up Thompson’s winning grab.
“This means a lot,” said Thompson, who had the final two touchdowns of the championship game. “We have a great group of guys. Everyone played well today. I want to shout out my quarterback, Dodge Alahverdian, who made some great, big throws today.”
The tournament brought together eight Suffolk County high school football programs. It featured Huntington, Whitman, Kings Park and Brentwood competing on Sweeney Field in the North Division, while Northport, Harborfields, Glenn and Deer Park squared off on the stadium field in the South Division. Each team was guaranteed at least three games before the top two finishers from each field advanced to crossover semifinals, with the winners meeting for the championship.
“It’s the name because you get into bad habits playing 7-on-7,” Northport coach Pat Campbell said with a laugh. “There’s no run, there’s no rush. You end up getting a lot of bad habits, but it’s great getting everyone out here to compete before the season.”
The 7-on-7 format featured 15-minute halves, a 45-yard field and a four-second passing clock. Touchdowns were worth one point.
In pool play, Whitman finished 3-0 and advanced to the semifinals. The Wildcats opened pool play against Huntington and won a thrilling contest by one score. Mark Rutledge had an interception that shifted the momentum.
“It’s been anticipated for a minute,” Rutledge said of the matchup against Huntington. “Once we found out we were playing them, we all got hyped. Throughout the game, we made sure not to get too high or too low, and it felt great to get that win.”
Huntington and Brentwood fought for the other semifinal spot in the division. They went to overtime. Both teams exchanged touchdowns, then the Blue Devils got a stop. On the next play, junior quarterback Chuck Rosselli found Spencer Sturges for a touchdown to send Huntington to the semifinals.
“Spencer Sturges and I have been working all offseason,” Rosselli said. “We’ve known each other for a long time, and to be able to get out here, compete and show our connection together has been amazing.”
On the other side of the bracket, Northport went 3-0 and advanced out of its division. Ryder Maag led the way on both sides of the ball for the Tigers.
“We did a lot of crossovers, a lot of cross-field stuff to get the defense moving,” said Maag. “Everyone’s a threat. I think that’s huge, having a bunch of all-around athletes, not just one guy.”
Advancing with Northport was Deer Park, which went 2-1 in pool play. The Falcons were guided by sophomore wide receiver Christian Myrick, who made several impressive catches downfield.
“Our passing game has been on point today,” Myrick said. “After the slow start with turnovers, we really turned it around. This season, we’re looking to win, and we wanted everybody to know that today.”
In the semifinals, Whitman defeated Deer Park behind Timmy Harrison’s two interceptions. Huntington defeated Northport in the other semifinal.
It set up a local matchup these teams don’t have during the season, and a re-match of the pool-play opener. Thompson ensured Whitman came out on top.
“I know some of those kids at Huntington,” Thompson said. “We’ve been competing for a long time, so this felt good. And this season at Whitman, we’re going to be the real deal."
