varsity.roanoke.com

EARL NEIKIRK

Bristol Herald Courier Aaron Lundy lends his shoulders to two cheerleaders.

Standing 6 feet, 5 inches and weighing 315 pounds, Aaron Lundy was an imposing presence in high school football stadiums.

When the Chilhowie graduate enters the working world, he hopes to be a giant in his field. "I would like to be a second-grade teacher," Lundy said. "I work well with little kids. I know you're thinking of 'Kindergarten Cop,' but I've been around little kids all my life. For some reason, kids are not very intimidated by me."

Lundy did a better job striking fear into opponents.

The second-team All-Timesland offensive tackle led Chilhowie to an 8-2 record last fall and was one of only three Timesland players to sign a Division I scholarship in February when he cast his lot with Division I-AA Liberty University.

Moreover, several longtime historians in the small Smyth County town cannot remember the last Warrior to sign with a Division I program.

"They said I was probably the first," Lundy said. "It's a privilege. The Lord has blessed me with a lot of things. I've had a lot of leadership from my dad, my mom, my pastor and my coaches."

Lundy will suit up one final time under the lights as a high school lineman in tonight's VHSCA East-West All-Star game at Darling Stadium in Hampton. Lundy is just the second Chilhowie player in school history to play in the VHSCA game.

Chilhowie coach Larry Russell said positive reports have been coming back from practices, indicating that Lundy is one of the top blockers on the West squad.

"I don't know about all of that," Lundy said. "I'm here. I guess that means I'm pretty good."

Liberty head coach Frank Rocco and offensive line coach Scott Wachenheim obviously think so. Lundy, who will report to the Lynchburg campus in two weeks, said no decision has been made on whether he will play in 2008 or sit out as a redshirt.

"Coach Wachenheim said he looks at me more or less as a prototype guard," Lundy said. "Liberty kind of looks at it like a test to see what I can do against the big dogs. I'd like to be an asset right away."

The familiar sight of Lundy working out at the high school this summer has Russell believing in the former Chilhowie star, who also spent two seasons playing basketball for the Warriors.

"If it comes down to working hard for it, he'll be all right," Russell said. "He's been working out all summer and not just in the weight room. He's doing all the running and the sweat just pours off him. He's not one of those big kids that's just large either. He's got good feet."

Liberty was the only school to offer Lundy a scholarship. A lifelong Tennessee fan, he was holding out for word from Virginia Tech.

"It was pretty much down to Virginia Tech and Liberty," Lundy said. "I waited and waited and waited and waited, but Tech never came around. My family and I sat down and prayed about the situation, and I just decided Liberty was the place I wanted to be."

No problem for Lundy. He left the agriculture environment a few years ago. As a middle schooler, one of his hobbies was competing in 4-H sheep shows.

"I was in 4-H back in the day," he said. "My mom and I used to show sheep. You just have to show how lean, fit and healthy they are. We did OK, but that's one of those things that takes a full-time commitment. I just didn't want to do it anymore."

A growing boy, was it possible Lundy ever ate one of his prize winners.

"I don't know if that happened to one of them," Lundy said. "It might have happened."

Lundy digested enough calories to allow him to max out recently with a 500-pound dead lift, a 545-pound squad and a 355-pound bench press.

Lundy hopes to help the West add to its slim lead in the overall series. The East won 27-7 last year.

"A lot of people don't think we've got a chance to beat the East team," he said. "We're going to pop them in the mouth. Don't get me wrong, we've got to catch them first, but I don't think they've seen hard-hitting dudes."

When the pads are off, Lundy will begin the long road through four or five years of college. He has already experienced some classroom success.

"I tutored a little girl in the second grade this year," Lundy said.

"She was doing a little better than failing, and by the time I got through working with her she was passing everything at a 'B' level. I'm not saying I did anything. I just got her to relax. I was proud. She passed with flying colors."