Mike Culpepper's Long Scoring Run Clinches Victory For East and Named MVP of All-Star Game.

11 July 1999
Long Beach Press-Telegram
Section: Sports, Edition: Am, Page: B1
By Ben Villa, Staff writer

With a single run in the fourth quarter, Pioneer High's Mike Culpepper proved to everyone why the guy from the smallest school was chosen to play in the biggest game of his life.

With 7:36 remaining and the East squad up by four points, Culpepper took a toss from St. Paul quarterback Jon Montes and proceeded to run down the left sideline untouched for a 73-yard touchdown that sealed the victory as the East went on to defeat the West 20-17 in the 32nd 605 All-Star Game at Gahr Stadium.

It was a moment of vindication for Culpepper, who was named the game's MVP after rushing for 106 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries.

"I come from a small school in Whittier that not too many people know about," Culpepper said. "We're not even on the football map when you consider where some of these guys go to school, so for me to prove that I could play with the best of them, really means a lot to me.

"I thought I could play with them, it was just a matter of getting the opportunity. On the touchdown run, I just asked the coaches to put me in the game and they did. My fullback sprung with a good block and once I saw daylight I just ran as fast as I could until I hit the end zone."

Culpepper, who was a first-team All-CIF selection and was chosen the Del Rio League Player of the Year, is set to attend the University of Utah this fall on a football scholarship.

The West did take an early lead, however.

With 4:25 left in the first quarter, Downey running back Raj Thompson scored on a long run of his own, scampering 66 yards for the score to give the West a quick 7-0 lead.

The East came right back though on its next possession. Starting on its 38 yard line, the East only needed four plays to get into the end zone capped off by the first of Culpepper's two touchdowns, this one from one yard out to tie the score at 7-7.

Culpepper Ancestry. The ancestry of Mike Culpepper is not currently known by Culpepper Connections! If you know who his parents are, please let us know.

Last Revised: 12 Jul 2004