LANDIS — Given a choice of being run down by an 18-wheeler or by 150-pound South Rowan free safety Brad Lanning, better take the truck.

These days at South, where the 7-2 Raiders are having a ball, they reverently refer to Lanning as “Hit Man.”

“That’s what they call me on the P.A.,” says Lanning. “At least, that’s what my mother says.”

Mom’s not lying. But there’s no way Lanning would have any idea what people are calling him because he has no time to listen. He’s busy. He’s a tiger shark swimming around Donnell Stadium — attacking anything that moves.

Lanning’s only a junior, but he’s already achieved near cult-figure status. His legend grew on Friday when West Forsyth came to town. Based on what the teams looked like, the sleek, muscular Titans appeared sure bets to whip the Raiders. But South rolled — sparked by a human laser beam named Lanning who registered 12 flying tackles. That destructive dozen included two seismograph-shakers in the opening minute.

The Raider coaching staff — to be perfectly honest — has no clue what makes Lanning tick.

“Brad’s a piece of work,” says South head coach Rick Vanhoy. “We know he can be a sort of wild kid and a good-size cut-up with his friends, but I don’t think he’s ever said 10 words to me.

“I do know he’s not afraid of anyone.”

Lanning is proof that football players can’t be stereotyped. They come in all shapes, sizes and wardrobes.

“We’ve got some kids like (Randy)Rigsby and Tripp (Isenhour) and Joel (Reyes) that when you see them in the hall you know right off they’re football players,” says Vanhoy. “But Brad looks like some unassuming kid.”

But this is an unassuming kid who gets his kicks by pummeling people. He led South in tackles in 1999 as a sophomore. This season, the Raiders are tackling foes much closer to the line of scrimmage, but Lanning’s numbers trail only helmet-rattling inside backers Reyes and Jay Phillips. Against Davie, a few weeks back, Lanning was in on 14 stops.

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Lanning’s one of the last to show for South’s Thursday practice. He finally arrives attired in a ghastly red Hawaiian shirt right out of Magnum P.I. — with a matching red earring.

On a team made up of largely of blue-collar workaholics, Lanning is the kid from left field. He’s always chilled in the summer months while gung-ho teammates like running back Keith Garrett and Phillips piled up “Super Raider” points in the weight room.

“Brad’s approach has not exactly been one we’d recommend,” says Vanhoy. “But when he does show up, he’s ready to play.”

Only recently, reports defensive coordinator Tim Corriher, has Lanning gotten interested in lifting weights.

“We’ve finally sold him on the idea,” says Corriher. “He’s figured out if he gets stronger, he can really hurt people.”

At practice, the Raider offense keeps one eye on the coaching staff, one eye on Lanning.

“That’s because he’ll hit our kids, too,” says Vanhoy. “You give him a shot, he’s going to take it.”

When Lanning’s on the scout team defense, he’ll inevitably creep up from his safety spot and try to play linebacker.

“That’s because we aren’t going to be throwing against the scout defense,” Vanhoy said. “If he stays back at safety, there won’t be anyone for him to hit.”

“Ilike it up there,” laughs Lanning. “I bounce around off the big guys like a ping-pong ball.”

Lanning has only two interceptions this season, but DBs coach Linn Williams says there’s a perfectly good reason.

“For Brad to get an interception, the quarterback’s gonna have to overthrow,” Williams said. “Brad would rather give you a shot to the ribs any day than intercept a pass.

“Brad had his best grade of the season on Friday, but he’s never gonna grade out 100 percent. He’s too wide open. He’s always going to run by some plays, because he’s going too fast.”

Lanning was discovered as a freshman in a jayvee game in Spencer. Suddenly, a North Rowan receiver crumpled to the ground and stayed there — victim of a legal mugging by Lanning.

“Brad just crushed that kid,” said Corriher. “We were like, my gosh, what was that? Who was that? That’s the first time I noticed Brad on the field.”

Lanning, who still calls that jayvee jolt the No. 1 tune on his greatest hits CD, assaults ballcarriers with such unexpected fury that prior to this year the Raiders toyed with the idea of making him a 150-pound outside linebacker.

“But we decided it would be best to keep him in the middle of the field at free (safety),” said Williams, who points out that the Raiders are blessed to have solid corners in Ricky Childers, Kevin Foy and Michael Hamilton. Without them, Lanning wouldn’t be free to careen around the field doing the attention-getting stuff.

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Lanning, who has excellent speed, says he’s not sure where his football ability comes from — just that he’s always been able to play. And he admits his philosophy is as uncomplicated as it gets.

“I want to be the first one on the hit every time,” he says. “And I’m looking to kill somebody.”

Vanhoy explains that run-wrecking safeties like Lanning put a gleam in the eye of opposing coaches.

“They see Brad on film and figure he’ll bite on play-action and get burned,” he said. “Fortunately, Brad’s got a sixth sense. He seems to know when he can come flying up and when he can’t.”

“Yeah, I learned a little last year,” says Lanning. “I’m more mature now. Not as nervous.”

One thing’s certain: Lanning’s reckless abandon rubs off on his teammates in a positive way.

“I think the whole defense feeds off him,” said Williams.

“We’ve got a lot of kids on that defense who don’t mind collisions,” said Vanhoy, ticking off a half-dozen names. “But Brad just loves to hit people. We’re very glad he’s on our side.”

Raider assistant Bob Boswell, who’s as old-school as it gets, sizes up Lanning, who’s as new-wave as it gets, and shakes his head. But then he grins approvingly.

“This kid can play,” says Boswell. “Brad can absolutely play.”