OJR’s Brumfield on a ground-gaining tear

Ryan Brumfield, a record-shattering tailback for Owen J. Roberts, has been on a mission since last month's Pioneer Athletic Conference opening loss to Spring-Ford.

"Yeah, I kind of took the defeat personally," said the senior, held to fewer than 100 yards through three quarters against the Rams. "I felt like I had let my teammates down. I was determined not to let that happen again."

After the 20-7 setback, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound dynamo returned to racking up major yardage and frustrating PAC-10 foes, including archrival Pottsgrove. Two weeks ago, in a surprising 49-20 romp over the neighboring Falcons, he juked, spun, and dashed for a career-high and school-record 329 yards on just 19 carries.

In shredding Pottsgrove's helpless defense, Brumfield, who last week ripped first-year Pope John Paul II for 312 yards on 19 attempts, became Southeastern Pennsylvania's all-time leading rusher. He passed the mark of 7,429 yards set in 2003 by West Catholic's Curtis Brinkley, now in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers.

With 7,748 career rushing yards, Brumfield is tied with Honesdale's Terrin Ash for fourth place on the state's all-time list. He trails the leading mark of 9,027 yards, established in 2008 by Steelton-Highspire's Jeremiah Young, by 1,279.

The 6-2 Wildcats, preparing for Friday's PAC-10 battle in Bucktown against front-runner Boyertown and vying for a spot in the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA tournament, have three league games remaining.

"Breaking the state record is a long shot," Brumfield said, "but it could happen if we get into the playoffs and win two or three games."

This season, Brumfield, speedy and powerful, has carried 197 times for 1,997 yards (10.1 yards per attempt) and 25 touchdowns.

"He's rarely tackled by one player," Spring-Ford coach Chad Brubaker said. "It takes three or four kids. You have to pinball him and then get help before he regains his feet or gets his balance."

Brumfield has produced 19 games of 200-plus rushing yards in his career. "He has the ability to accelerate quickly, cut on a dime, and make people miss," said Tom Barr, OJR's 14th-year coach. "He's very elusive. And he's a tough kid. He'll run up inside the tackles and push people back."

The 18-year-old, rarely coming off the field, also plays free safety and returns kickoffs and punts. "I have no problem with that," he said. "I want to be out there at all times. That's why I train as hard as I do."

Brumfield began playing football at age 6, logging time with the Norchester Red Knights and Marsh Creek Eagles. "I always had that quick first step," he said.

It's no wonder. His father, Dennis, was a running back at Akron from 1978 to 1981, and then spent a half-season with the Cleveland Browns. His three older brothers - Dennis (Hill School) and Josh and Matt (both OJR) – also played the position.

The chain doesn't end there. Brumfield's uncle James was a running back at Indiana State in the late 1960s and played briefly for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Another uncle, Marshall, starred at the same spot for Youngstown State in the mid-1970s and tried out with the Dallas Cowboys.

Ryan Brumfield, clocked at 4.45 seconds by a handheld stopwatch in the 40-yard dash, has scholarship offers from Division I-A Buffalo and I-AA Towson. Penn State asked for highlight film last week, and he plans to take an unofficial visit to State College on Saturday, when the Nittany Lions host Michigan.

Also in the showing-interest category are Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Temple, Villanova, and Massachusetts.

"I'm waiting to see what happens after the season," Brumfield said. "I'm keeping my options open."

The breakaway back, who has bench-pressed 225 pounds and squatted 450, started at point guard in hoops the last two seasons (he plans to sit out this year). In track and field, he excels in the high jump (personal best of 6 feet, 9 inches), and also competes in the long jump (23-7), triple jump (47-10), 100-meter dash (10.9 seconds), and 4x100 relay.

Brumfield is thinking of majoring in sports management in college. If No. 22's record-obliterating rushing ways continue, a know-how with contracts, endorsements and such could come in quite handy four or five years from now.