ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, July 11, 1996 TAG: 9607110043
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: HAMPTON
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
THE FORMER RADFORD lineman has many options as he enters VMI in the fall.
Last fall, Radford's Kelly Underwood wanted to stop Powell Valley running back Thomas Jones.
Less than a year later, Underwood, an offensive and defensive lineman for the Bobcats, wants to open holes for Jones, who was named the Group A football player of the year by The Associated Press.
That's because these two players are part of the West team that is favored tonight against the East when the Virginia High School Coaches' Association all-star game is held at Darling Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
It's no big deal to Underwood, an All-Timesland lineman who might be playing his final football game.
After being selected All-Timesland as a lineman, the future for Underwood in football is not clearly set. His future out of football, though, looks good because Underwood has a full academic scholarship for Virginia Military Institute starting this fall.
While many of Underwood's teammates also have full scholarships, they are for playing the game of football. Jones is one of those as the University of Virginia won the sweepstakes for the talented running back, who arguably was the state's biggest football recruiting prize.
``I hope to throw the hammer [in track] next spring and possibly try to play football when I'm a sophomore,'' said Underwood, whose brother Casey was an All-Timesland player two years ago when he was a quarterback, placekicker and punter for Radford.
``I'm not trying to use the all-star game to be noticed [for a football scholarship]. I just feel it's a privilege to play here with a lot of great athletes,'' he said.
As a matter of fact, he's not even sure how track will work out. Underwood threw the shot and discus at Radford, but didn't place on the state level. He has talked to the VMI track coach, who wants him to come out for the team and throw the hammer.
``If the VMI [football] coaches see anything they like about me in this game, fine,'' he said. ``If they don't see anything, I don't mind. It won't hurt my feelings or anything like that.
Underwood has all the credentials, having proven himself over and over again on the high school level, just like his brother, did two years ago. Casey Underwood today is at Virginia Tech as a student, not as a football player.
``Kelly was one of the better linemen we've had,'' said Radford football coach Norm Lineburg, who is one of the state's top football coaches and has seen many linemen. ``I know Kevin Sherman, who played at Radford, is on the VMI staff, so it's possible they'll take a look.''
As for blocking to open holes so Jones, his former opponent, can run at will, Underwood says it's no big deal.
``I just figure he's a back on my team. When you're a lineman, you have to protect him,'' said Underwood.
``When we're talking, we talk mostly guy-type stuff. Every once in a while we'll talk about past games, but not that often.''
Underwood says his college choices were Virginia, Virginia Tech, James Madison and Hampden-Sydney.
``I was just basically someone who wanted to get a good education,'' he said.
He said the opportunity for a single-gender education via VMI didn't have a bearing on his choice. Now he might be a member of the final Rat class in Lexington without female classmates if VMI is forced to admit women as mandated under the recent United States Supreme Court ruling.
``I really don't have a feeling about that,'' said Underwood. ``VMI is a state-supported school, so you kind of knew it had to happen. I didn't want it to happen, but it happened anyway and it wouldn't have affected my choice.''
NOTES: Hampton High football coach Mike Smith, who has been one of the main forces in running the VHSCA all-star games for more than a decade, was honored last week as the national high school coach of the year in football by the national association of coaches. Liberty's Jim Cutler was a runner-up for the award in baseball. ...
William Fleming athletic director Sherley Stuart was given a distinguished service award by the VHSCA for outstanding work in high school athletics. ... Fort Chiswell's Mike White, a four-sport star, was one of three winners of a Jimmie Bryan scholarship award that is one of the biggest awards given by the VHSCA in honor of the former E.C. Glass basketball coach.
LENGTH: Medium: 86 linesby CNB