Class 2012: Shane Stonehouse, DT/FB, Sir John A MacDonald Flames (Video)

Today, CFC features class 2012 star defensive tackle/fullback from the Sir John A MacDonald Flames, Shane Stonehouse. Shane began his football career with the bantam Truro Freightliners.

Shane Stonehouse

Positions:
Defensive Tackle, Fullback, Defensive End, Linebacker

Height/Weight:
6’0, 260 lbs

Teams:
Sir John A MacDonald Flames (high school)
Truro Freightliners (bantam)

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
McGill, York, Calgary, Saskatchewan, St. Francis Xavier, Concordia, Windsor, Open

Class:
2012

Shane began playing football as a tight end with the bantam Truro Freightliners. In 2007, he was named team offensive player of the year. Playing on both the offensive and defensive lines in 2008 (tight end/defensive tackle), Shane not only served as captain but was also team MVP.

The graduating star attended the Matt Light football camp in Massachusetts, where he took top athlete honours for his age category in the summer of 2008.

Due to personal reasons, Shane had to take a two year hiatus from football. This past season (2011), he returned back to the game he loves via an opportunity in the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Football Federation League (NSSAFFL) with the Sir John A MacDonald Flames.

Resurrecting his football career with a championship contending team, Shane didn’t look out of sorts. He was on the verge of having a dominant and successful season in the NSSAFFL when only two games in, Shane faced the most memorable moment of his football career.

“I was informed by Coach Wetmore that I had been deemed ineligible by the NSSAF moments before what would have been the biggest football game I have ever played in against the undefeated Citadel Phoenix,” explains the star defensive tackle/fullback. “My season was cut short by a poor ruling by the NSSAF.”

Shane was deemed ineligible to play by the league because under the rules, he was considered to be in his fourth year of high school. The rule is that players are only eligible for three years. He took 50 days (one semester) off of school in grade 11 due to personal reasons. Even though the Flames mounted an appeal, the NSSAF upheld its ruling.

Looking back, the graduating player says that the league failed to look at the entire picture.

“I was disappointed because they took away something important to me for no good reasoning,” explains Shane. “The ruling put my team and I in a difficult situation.”

“Luckily my teammates and coaches were supportive and there for me throughout the entire ordeal.”

Even though Shane’s season was abruptly cut short, his presence was still prominent on the Flames.

“He has stuck close to the team and provided us with leadership all year,” adds Flames head coach Alan Wetmore.

Throughout the entire ordeal and beyond, the main constant for Shane has been the support and encouragement of Wetmore. Not only has he excelled as a coach, but Wetmore has influenced players such as Shane in aspects beyond football.

“He is the reason I have an opportunity to be something great and the respect other players and I have for him are unmatched because of his incredible football pedigree,” adds Shane. “Even in the difficult times during my eligibility hearings he always had my back.”

“Al is someone who you can look up to and learn from to become a great man.”

Currently, Shane is preparing for the upcoming university football season by working out at Wetmore’s facility in Halifax called the Ultimate Athlete Factory.

“Shane continues to train hard in the off season so he can get a shot and making a future for himself,” adds Wetmore.

Before football, Shane excelled in basketball. The star athlete was selected on the first all-star team for all of Mainland Nova Scotia and attended the Atlantic Great 48 for two straight years.

During his basketball playing days, Shane says that he owes a lot of credit to former coach Marc Roberts for believing in him.

“There were a lot of times he could and probably should have given up on me but he didn’t,” comments the Flames graduating player. “Coach Roberts was there for me through thick and thin.”

“He taught me what it was to be accountable for my actions.”

Away from sports, Shane defends his country as a member of the Canadian Military Reserves. Serving as an infantry soldier under the first Nova Scotia Highlanders, the Flames star enjoys the experience.

After he graduates this year, Shane plans to attend university and is considering two possible career options. Either he would like to do social work or continue to work with the Canadian Military Reserves. Additionally, the star defensive tackle/fullback would like to fulfill a dream by playing in the NCAA ranks.

Shane says that football has taught him so many things that he would not have learned elsewhere.

“It has taught me to work hard, to set goals and pushes to achieve,” explains Shane. “It has taught me not to take anything for granted because in an instant it can be taken away.”

All in all, the football experience has meant a lot to him.

“I am grateful for football and everything it has brought to me,” says the graduating player. “I am blessed to be able to put on pads, strap on a helmet and play a great game.”

While Shane may not have played the bulk of this football season, Flames head coach Wetmore says it may have been a good thing for other teams in the NSSAFFL.

“Although he was of age to play in high school, it certainly seemed like it was a man to boys out there,” explains Wetmore. “It was probably for the best that he was not allowed to play because the other teams would have had their hands full.”

“Shane is an aggressive D-Linemen who if was permitted to play would have accumulated 30 plus sacks and 30 yards of tackles for losses per game for sure.”

Wetmore adds that the star defensive tackle/fullback is a strong and aggressive player who has a “motor that does not quit.” However, those are not the only positive attributes.

“Shane is a strong, physical player that would have done for the Flames what Ndamukong Suh did for Detroit…without the penalties,” says the Flames head coach. “He is a young man that had to persevere and it shows in his play.”

Overall, Shane is a coveted player who will be an asset to any subsequent teams he plays with in the future.

“Although he did not play this season, he is definitely one of the top recruits in the province,” comments the Flames head coach. “A member of our armed forces and a Flame through and through a university team will be fortunate to have him.”

Video of Shane’s Football Highlights:

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