Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: Ryhan Culberson
School: Fort Cherry
Class: Junior
Sport: Football
Culberson’s week: Ryhan Culberson’s athleticism and versatility were on full display for Fort Cherry in a 41-20 victory over Greensburg Central Catholic Saturday. He had a hand in 24 of the Rangers’ points, throwing for a touchdown, running for two and returning an interception for another. He finished with 87 yards on 11 carries and threw for 72 yards, completing four of eight passes.
The South Fayette transfer’s presence on both sides of the ball has helped the Rangers (2-0) to their best start since 2013, when they started 4-0 and finished 8-2. The only losses came to Clairton, once in the regular season and one in the playoffs.
Moving back to quarterback: The last time Culberson played quarterback before this year was seventh grade. He was effective as a tight end and defensive end for South Fayette’s WPIAL runner-up team a year ago. But Culberson said the adjustment has been relatively smooth since he began training with Fort Cherry in early August. He likes the spread attack used by coach Jim Shiel, which often sees him line up as a wildcat option.
“If I’m rolling out of the pocket, or I don’t see something I like, then I can just take off. And if I do see something, I just set my feet,” Culberson said. “It’s easier than just standing in the back of the pocket.”
Culberson said he and sophomore Brady Whalen often alternate series with Culberson coming in when the Rangers trail or is otherwise in need of a big play.
Five years passed since Culberson last took snaps as a quarterback, but he is familiar with his older Fort Cherry offensive personnel from playing little league football with them. That helped him adjust.
Add another position: For Fort Cherry’s scrimmages and first two regular season games, Culberson lined up as the starting outside linebacker, but because of the absence of two defensive backs for the team’s trip to Monessen Friday, he’ll move even further toward the boundary.
Playing in space, Culberson knows he’ll have to swap reading run-first for pass-first and backpedal a lot. But his defensive instincts that helped him make a 75-yard interception return against GCC should carry over.
“I was in the right place,” Culberson said. “I just met the ball and caught it.”
Turning the program around: After a couple years of struggling, Fort Cherry seems poised to make a return to relevancy in Class A with its undefeated start to the season. Culberson who said he “didn’t grow up with them, but basically I did” is glad to be back as a part of this effort.
“It feels good to be back helping them where they want to go,” he said. “Go undefeated and hopefully make it to states. It’s possible. Everybody needs to come to practice and work hard and focus.”
Compiled by Jasper Wilson