Dakota Stonehouse’s first game at quarterback ended with him walking off the field crying and screaming as only a grade-schooler can.
When Stonehouse and the rest of the Glenwood Springs Demons walk off the field nowadays, it’s the other team that often feels like that.
Accurate, at times unstoppable, and blessed with an innate sense of calm in the clutch, Stonehouse has led the top-seeded Demons (12-0) to the Class 3A state semifinals by leaving a trail of stunned coaches and opponents in his wake.
A 3 1/2-year starter, Stonehouse has more than 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns running and throwing this season, against just three interceptions. He’s a born leader, an outdoorsman and a three-sport athlete with a 3.9 grade-point average.
Many coaches call him the best talent they’ve seen in the state in years. But most Division I coaches don’t call him at all.
“It goes through my head quite a bit,” Stonehouse said of the mild response from bigger colleges. “I’ve heard I’m not fast enough, not tall enough or that my arm strength is not what they’re looking for. It kind of just motivates me more, just to prove them wrong.
“After that first year of playing quarterback, I’ve always had that dream of going to the next level and playing college ball.”
Although listed on some recruiting sites as being shorter, Stonehouse stands at 6 foot, 185 pounds and is being heavily recruited by RMAC schools. It’s no wonder Missouri’s supposedly undersized quarterback Chase Daniel is someone he looks up to now.
A soccer player as a kid, Stonehouse in fifth grade followed his father (Steve, who played at Fort Lewis) to the football field. When the starting quarterback left in an ambulance, Dakota got his first reps under center and left a teary mess.
By sixth grade, Stonehouse loved the position and led his team to an undefeated season. As a freshman, two injuries to varsity players opened the door to a starting job he hasn’t let go of.
“I just like the intensity,” Stonehouse said. “Being on the field . . . there’s a feeling that doesn’t come on the basketball court and the track. Being out there with the kids you grew up with and battling with them, I love it.”
Demons coach Rocky Whitworth, who has coached all over the state at prep and collegiate levels since 1974, has expanded his offense each year to accommodate Stonehouse’s talents. But the best stuff the senior does is not taught.
“He’s got a real fire in his belly, but you never know it,” Whitworth said. “He’s calm, he’s cool, he’s cold- steel ice.”
In last week’s 50-39 quarterfinal win at Berthoud, Stonehouse accounted for 486 yards — 351 passing and 135 rushing — and six touchdowns (four passing, two rushing).
Palisade coach John Arledge has seen his teams lose to the Demons the past three seasons, and he still can’t say enough good things about Stonehouse.
“Here’s a good Dakota story: They all come running out before our game and he stops in the middle of the field, takes off his helmet, puts it under his arm, walks over and shakes my hand and says, ‘Coach, it’s going to be an honor playing against you guys tonight,’ ” Arledge said.
Model citizen. A kid with a core strength that is almost freakishly different from his peers. A leader who takes over on whim. Those are all ways Arledge describes the quarterback, who calmly led the Demons on a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter in Week 8 to beat Palisade 29-22.
“He’s probably the most dominating offensive player I’ve seen in eight to 10 years,” Arledge said. “He’s more dominating than (Colorado State tight end) Kory Sperry was when we played him (Pueblo County).”
Stonehouse rushed for four touchdowns in the Demons’ 31-26 Zero Week win over Class 4A power Montrose, which went on to win 10 straight before being ousted last week in the quarterfinals by Greeley West.
“I don’t care if you say pound for pound or man for man, but that’s the best football player we played all year,” Montrose coach Todd Casebier said. “Whenever they need a play, he makes it. Period.”
