South Point football star chooses college

GASTONIA — Aaron Crumbley was already leaning toward Navy as his future collegiate home. A campus visit sold him.

“I couldn’t find anything wrong with it,” the former South Point football star said after committing to the Midshipmen on a trip to Annapolis, Md., the second weekend in January.

“The place was beautiful. They’ve got great coaches. I met all of them. They seemed just like our coaching staff (at South Point): they care about you as a person and as a player, and they want the best for everybody.”

Crumbley, a 6-foot, 210-pound fullback, plans to make his commitment official by signing a binding letter of intent Feb. 3, the first day of the signing period.

In addition to providing a full undergraduate scholarship, the Navy will also pay for Crumbley’s medical school, he said.

Navy, which finished this past season 10-4 after a 35-13 smashing of Missouri in the Texas Bowl, runs a triple-option offense — the same system in which Crumbley thrived at South Point.

Gaston County’s all-time touchdown leader, Crumbley believes he can earn playing time early in his Navy career even though fullback Vince Murray, the team’s second-leading rusher last season, will return for his senior season.

“(The fullbacks coach) said there’s always open competition every week, and they’re certainly going to give me a shot to play,” Crumbley said.

There’s no plan to move Crumbley to a different position, as sometimes happens for high schoolers in their transition to the next level.

“They said they loved my film, so they’re going to leave me at fullback for now,” Crumbley said.

Crumbley rushed for five touchdowns in his final high school game, leading South Point to a 42-28 win over South Johnston for the 3AA state championship. Crumbley carried 38 times in that game for 122 yards.

Despite missing two games with an injury this season, Crumbley rushed for 1,326 yards and 31 touchdowns.

He finished his high school career with three Gaston County records: career rushing touchdowns (89), single-season rushing touchdowns (39 in 2008) and career rushing attempts (747). Crumbley’s 4,644 career rushing yardage ranks third in county history and first in school history. He also became only the fifth three-time 1,000-yard rusher in Gaston County history.

Navy will make two trips to North Carolina this season: Oct. 9 at Wake Forest and Nov. 6 at East Carolina.

You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.