Culberson, Stafford named to Class A all-state team
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Fort Cherry’s Ryhan Culberson uses a stiff arm to get around West Greene’s Isaac Courtwright.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Jelani Stafford led California in rushes, yards and touchdowns en route to becoming one of the top running backs in the WPIAL last season.
Two local football players, one a tall, multi-talented, multi-position player and the other a battering-ram of a runner who is built like a lineman, were among the top small-school players this season not only in Washington County but the entire state.
Fort Cherry senior quarterback Ryhan Culberson and California junior fullback Jelani Stafford were named Tuesday to the Pennsylvania Football Writers Class A All-State Team.
They join Washington running back Nick Welsh and wide receiver-linebacker Isaiah Schoonmaker, who were named Monday to the Class 2A team, and Trinity running back Joe Koroly and South Fayette quarterback Drew Saxton and tight end Noah Plack in Class 4A, as all-state selections.
Culberson was a dynamic playmaker for Fort Cherry and the main threat in the Rangers’ high-scoring offense. He did it with both his arm and legs in his final season. Culberson completed 33 of his 64 passes for 643 yards and eight touchdowns.
What made Culberson so dangerous were the long strides of his 6-5 frame. He amassed 1,564 rushing yards and scored 21 touchdowns. Culberson was third on the team in tackles with 49 from his safety position. He also intercepted two passes and recovered two fumbles. He also provided a spark on special teams, averaging more than 30 yards on 15 kickoff and punt returns.
In two seasons at Fort Cherry, Culberson was responsible for 69 touchdowns either as a passer, runner, receiver or on returns.
Like Schoonmaker on the Class 2A team, Culberson was named all-state in the “athlete” category.
Built like a lineman, Stafford is a fleet-footed runner who was almost unstoppable in California’s triple-option offense. Lining up at fullback, Stafford led the Trojans in rushing yards (1,586) and touchdowns (25). Averaging an amazing 12 yards per carry and a touchdown every five times he touched the football, the 6-1, 263-pound Stafford was a nightmare for Tri-County South Conference defenses. He helped California the conference championship, its first undefeated regular season since 1947 and the WPIAL semifinals.
Stafford will be one of the top returning players in Class A and the WPIAL next season.