What's next for Keira McCulley’s Journey as an Athlete?

By KRYSTAL RAMIREZ 

The Tower 

Keira McCulley is making a sharp cut to the right, ball tucked tight, trying to shake the defender reaching for her flag.  

MANTECA – Manteca High varsity flag football player Keira McCulley steps onto the field. The star player finds herself under the spotlight as she prepares to show her talent to the crowd in the stands. 

McCulley is known for her talent in flag football and soccer. In the fall, she plays wide receiver and linebacker, and for soccer in the winter, she’s one of the region’s top goalkeepers. The leadership and dedication that McCulley has for both sports defines who she is.  

Simply, she is that athlete.  

“She’s determined and tries to be better each and every day,” varsity flag coach Priscilla Riddick said. 

McCulley plans to keep working hard in school and on the field during her last year in high school.  

She has received offers from colleges for flag football but has not yet been committed to one as she is willing to work harder for one close to home. McCulley is also being recruited for soccer. She has offers from Ferrum College, Norco Junior College, Point University, and Hope International University to play for their flag teams. 

Her goal after this season of flag football is to head into travel and make sure, she balls out. 

McCulley has been productive in the high school arena.  

As a junior, McCulley only let one goal slip past her and had 27 saves through her season playing. She only appeared in 12 games because she had to sit out after transferring from Oakdale High School. 

On the football field, she’s blossomed into one of the best wide receivers in the area. She has 82 catches for 708 yards and four touchdowns scored. 

McCulley’s impact goes beyond her stats. She has helped shaped what it means to be a female student athlete in a sport that’s usually dominated by males.  

“She works really hard,” Riddick said, “and she’s a role model for the girls on the team.” 

The first home opening game of the season for Manteca against Lincoln was her most performative game yet, with two picks and three touchdowns. 

What began as another sport to be involved in, McCulley found her love for the sport. She never envisioned her passion for this sport. She always thought her path forward was on the soccer field alone. 

She never saw herself being a star player that has now became a worldwide sport, opening many doors to woman athletes and herself. 

The Buffaloes are yet to face rivalry East Union in the league. Their remaining schedule is competing against Oakdale and Patterson later in October. 

Manteca’s flag football team is currently in second place with 7-2 behind East Union, while climbing to take the number one spot in the Valley Oak League.