22 FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2013
MILLBROOK PIONEERS
The Northern Virginia Daily
Pioneers’ Crowley embraces change as senior By Brad Fauber WINCHESTER — Things are a little bit different for Jonathan Crowley this season. After spending the first two years of his high school varsity football career playing alongside former Millbrook players A.J. Bolden and Grant Johnson on the defensive line, Crowley, now a senior with the Pioneers, suddenly finds himself in unfamiliar territory. “Being a senior, it’s a little bit different this year — we had 21 seniors last year, so I was kind of just like the guy trying to do their best,” Crowley said recently. “But this year on the team we have a lot of young sophomores so I’m trying to be a role model to them and try to show them that with hard work you can start and you can play well. I just like to be a role model and provide leadership wherever it’s needed in the game.” Crowley is no stranger to being looked at as a leader along the defensive line. The senior has seen plenty of playing time there for the Pioneers over the last two years, and last season he tied Millbrook two-way lineman Jonathan Crowley is ready to take on the role of for the team lead in tackles with 99 this season. and led Millbrook with six sacks. and classmate Pearson (Millbrook head Haymore said Crowley actually But in his two previous seasons, approached him about playing fullback Crowley had the benefit of having that coach Josh Haymore says the pair is inseparable) and Weems. this season, but Haymore convinced extra help, of working alongside those him otherwise by mentioning that Haymore said Weems and Crowley older guys on the team that he could offensive linemen get to see action on look up to and learn from. This season, are the two biggest leaders that have every play compared to the limited arisen so far in fall practice, and Crowley must play the role of mentor Haymore raves about Crowley’s techni- activity a fullback would get in to his younger teammates, much like cal ability and knowledge of the game, Millbrook’s offense. the role that Bolden and Johnson played before him. “We worked harder because you were a little scared — you realize big A.J. and Grant, they’re not here anymore. It’s you and your buddy [Logan] Weems and [Johnathan] Pearson,” Crowley said of the offseason preparation of he and his defensive line mates. “Realizing that it’s your turn, you bring something else when that happens.” It’s not as if Crowley is all by himself on the defensive line. Crowley will be joined this season by his good friend
as well as Crowley’s physicality on the football field. “He’s a very physical individual,” Haymore said. “He’s as nice as all getout, he’s a grade A guy ... but when he puts those gloves on and that helmet on and those shoulder pads, he’s a totally different beast.” That physicality will be doubly important for Millbrook this season, as Crowley is also expected to fill in on an offensive line that lost every starter from a year ago.
Rich Cooley/Daily
mentor for his younger teammates he said the Pioneers’ defense is taking it upon itself to lead Millbrook to success this season.
What little experience Millbrook returns from last season largely resides on the defensive side of the ball, with senior linebacker Devon Sharp (87 tackles), junior linebacker Dylan The move to offensive tackle, where Wisman (74 tackles) and senior defenCrowley has little game experience, has sive back Taylor James (31 tackles) the senior a little apprehensive, but he joining Crowley. is willing to do whatever it takes to “We’re excited. We lost a lot of pieces help Millbrook have a successful seaon offense, so our defense has to be son. sturdy this year,” Crowley said. “We “Trying to fill A.J.’s and Grant’s shoes on the offensive line, that’s kind of scary, but I’m going to do my best,” Crowley said.
can’t allow as many rushing yards as we did last year. We’re going to have to stiffen up. Everyone is working hard on defense.”
Although Crowley will see time on Contact sports writer Brad Fauber both sides of the ball, he remains a at 540-465-5137 ext. 184, or defensive player first and foremost, and bfauber@nvdaily.com