Football: Payne earns All-American honors, Craighead, Buckner named All-State

The postseason honors for three members of the 2011 Long Beach City College football team continued to roll in this week. Record-setting wide receiver Travon Payne was named to the California Community College Football Coaches Association (CCCFCA) All-America team while standout quarterback Ryan Craighead and safety Dennis Buckner earned CCCFCA All-State honors.

Payne, a sophomore out of Artesia High School, was a unanimous first-team All-Central West Conference selection after one of the finest receiving seasons in LBCC history.

In just nine games, Payne set school records with 73 receptions and 1,254 receiving yards. His 13 touchdown receptions tied a record. He nearly had 14 TDs, but was stopped at the one-yard line after a 38-yard reception in LBCC's season finale at Golden West College.

Payne caught at least five passes in all nine games and totaled 100+ yards receiving in eight contests. His best game of the season came on September 24 when he hauled in 11 receptions for 216 yards and four touchdowns.

Payne was also named All-American by JCFootball.com/JC Grid-Wire.

Craighead, out of Long Beach Wilson High School, also had an amazing season that will also leave his name in the LBCC record book. Craighead was named Central West Conference Offensive Player of the Year after passing for 3,247 yards and 28 touchdowns over 10 games.

His 3,247 passing yards ranks second all-time on the single-season list while his 28 TD passes tied him for third-most in a season.

In the Pierce win, Craighead completed 27 of 43 passes for 468 yards and five touchdown passes. He followed that game by throwing for 463 yards and five touchdowns in a last-minute loss at Santa Ana College on October 1.

His 468 and 463 yards rank third and fourth respectively on the all-time LBCC single-game list. His 225 completions for the season rank No. 2 while his 399 pass attempts set a new school record.

Buckner, out of Rancho Verde High School in Moreno Valley, was a standout on defense for the Vikings and was a unanimous All-Central West Conference selection.

Buckner ranked second on the LBCC defense and was fourth in the CWC with 76 total tackles. He compiled 44 solo tackles to go with two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one sack.  

Under fourth-year head coach Mike Reisbig, Long Beach closed the season with a 5-6 overall record but was champion of the Central West Conference with a 4-1 record. The Vikings also qualified for their first bowl game since 2005.

Photo: Travon Payne scores one of his two TDs at Orange Coast College (By John Fajardo)