By Mike London
mlondon@salisburypost.com
KANNAPOLIS ó When defensive end Dwayne Stroud arrived at A.L. Brown two years ago, he brought along a state-championship ring from Independence, a heavy-metal wardrobe and enough confidence and intensity to fill an 18-wheeler.
“His first practice, Dwayne’s the new guy and I’m thinking he’s not gonna touch me,” free safety Billy Simiton said. “A minute later, he blindsides me, hits me so hard he knocks the wind right out of me.
“I’ve never crossed him since and I’ve still never seen anyone work any harder. Even in practice, he doesn’t take a play off.”
Stroud is not large at 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, but he’s so quick and so strong he has a good chance to play at the next level.
Stroud was All-SPC as a junior, and everyone figures he’s still getting better.
“Last year, just eight sacks, but this time it’s more like 15,” Stroud said. “The coaches talked about the front seven coming together, and right now, it all fits like a puzzle. We have a lot more speed than last year, and we’ve added some energy guys. It’s hard to run the ball against us because we’re all gonna be there.”
Everything has fallen into place for Brown’s defense since linebacker Terrance Johnson returned from an ACL injury in the sixth game. Over the past five games ó all Wonder wins ó Brown’s defense and special teams have actually outscored the opposition’s offense.
Johnson, strong safety Xavier Watson, returner Jamill Lott, linebacker Chris Moore and Stroud visited the end zone in recent weeks.
Stroud got his TD on a 70-yard fumble return in a 52-0 wipeout of Porter Ridge, and he turned in three sacks against Hickory Ridge’s quick QB Brett Lilly.
“Not sure what my best game was, but I do know the defensive unit’s best three are the last three,” Stroud said. “I think we’re looking pretty scary.”
Defensive ends coach Josh Reeves, who was a stalwart fullback/linebacker at Brown before he was a captain at Lenoir-Rhyne, shook his head and moaned when Stroud’s name came up.
The message was clear. His teammates and coaches love Stroud, but at the same time, they’re pretty glad he doesn’t have a twin brother.
“Only way he reminds me of me when I played is not listening the same way I used to not listen,” Reeves said with a laugh.
“Last year, his technique wasn’t so good, so we used him just to get off the edge as a pass-rusher. But he’s gotten a lot stronger and his role is different now. He can manhandle a lot of tight ends and he can build that fence and force running plays back inside where our big guys (Aaron Davidson and Justin Carson) can get them.”Stroud’s clothes and hair threatened to drive coaches crazy last year, but he’s “cleaned it up,” as he puts it, with a conservative haircut and much calmer apparel.
Still, the personable Stroud wouldn’t mind one more fashion change.
“I put away that old championship ring from Independence,” Stroud said. “I don’t wear it. I figure it’s time for an upgrade.”
To “upgrade,” the Wonders probably will have to go through nemesis Charlotte Catholic, and Brown has a first-round game with Lake Norman that won’t be easy.
“I watched Lake Norman film Saturday and Sunday,” Stroud said. “Their No. 44 (Dirqual Ellis) makes a sack one play, then he scores a touchdown the next. I’d say he’s a formidable opponent.”
He is, but so is Stroud.