I am making a toybox for my kids and have used some nice stain grade Maple plywood for the box.  My problem is that parts of the box have gotten a little fuzzy.  I’m using General oil based stain and have given the plywood a light sanding with 220 prior to staining. My worry is that sanding down the fuzzy spots will lighten up the stain in spots.  Thus solving one problem and creating another.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Brad