Stonier glad to man the middle

By Tommy Keeler Jr. -- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

WINCHESTER -- James Wood coach Mike Bolin had a difficult decision to make before the start of the season.

Bolin wanted Devin Stonier to move from outside linebacker to inside linebacker, but he was worried about Stonier's health. The James Wood senior injured his right shoulder last year, and had to have surgery in the offseason.

When push came to shove, Bolin knew he really only had one choice.

"We knew we just had to have him in the middle," Bolin said. "He's done a heck of a job for us."

Stonier said the surgery only sidelined him for six weeks, and while it was a tough thing to go through, his recovery went well.

Stonier had big shoes to fill this season, with James Wood losing inside linebackers Kelsey Shannon and Danny Cooper to graduation. The pair led the Colonels in tackles over the last two years and were the leaders on defense.

"[Shannon and Cooper] joked around with me last season, that I better get some reps in at inside, because I would be playing there this year," Stonier said. "I looked up to them a lot, and I'm just trying to live up to what they did." The move from outside linebacker has been a smooth one for Stonier, who now calls the plays for the defense.

"I just wanted to do whatever was best for the team," Stonier said. "I enjoy playing inside now. You play straight across for the quarterback. It gives you a sense of leadership."

Stonier leads the Colonels on defense with 109 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles and three interceptions.

One of the keys to Stonier's success is his intelligence. His football savvy shows up a lot on special teams.

Stonier has four blocks combined on special teams, including blocking two extra points last week against Handley.

"He saw he had a seam up the middle and he took it," Bolin said.

Stonier said he enjoys trying to figure things out on the field and get the better of his opponent in one-on-one matchups.

"I like to challenge myself and see if I can make a play," he said. "That's why I like playing at inside linebacker -- it's a good challenge."

Stonier didn't start playing football until his seventh-grade year. He and his brother, Doug, who was in the eighth grade, both decided to give it a try, and the game stuck with them.

In his sophomore and junior seasons, Stonier started along with his brother on defense.

"It was nice having your actual blood brother out on the field with you," Stonier said. "It was a lot of fun."

James Wood (6-4) plays in the Region II, Division 4 semifinals Saturday against Loudoun County at Handley at 1 p.m. It is the third straight year the Colonels have advanced to the playoffs, after missing the postseason for 26 straight years.

The Colonels have been up and down this season. James Wood won its first five games, but has lost four of its last five. The four losses were by a combined 18 points, and three of them were in the very tough Northwestern District.

Stonier said the team feels like it has a chance to make up for a disappointing regular season, especially the seniors.

"I think we're a special group of seniors," Stonier said. "We all know our talents and [what] we're capable of. We're looking forward to the game."

The Colonels are familiar with the Raiders, having lost to them last year in the third game of the regular season. That was the first loss of the season for the Colonels, and they still feel it was a game they should have won.

James Wood has some definite motivation for Saturday's game. The Colonels have lost in the first round of the playoffs the last two years, and are still searching for their first playoff win in several decades. The Colonels also would like to advance to the regional semis to face a familiar foe.

"Loudoun County is a good team," Stonier said. "Getting our first playoff win will definitely motivate us, but we know if we can get over that we would play Sherando. We would love a second chance."