2023 Program Preview: Silverton

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are getting closer to the start of the high school football season in Oregon, which means it is time to look at the football programs around the state. Oregon high school football is in a fantastic place, and I could not be more excited to help educate our readers on the programs they will be watching on Friday nights. The team next up is Silverton High School, home of the Foxes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Foxes are led by second-year head coach Dan Lever, who was the head coach at Tualatin High School for five seasons before accepting the Silverton job. In Coach Lever's first year at Silverton, the Foxes finished with a solid 7-4 record, reaching the second round of the 5A State Playoffs before falling to Wilsonville. Last season was impressive, but Coach Lever expects more from his squad this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When asked about his goals and expectations this season, Coach Lever said, "I think this squad has the opportunity to be successful. We have had a strong offseason and returned some key players in some important spots. We were young and inexperienced last year. This group is a little more game-ready than last year. There is a lot of parity in our league, and I feel that if we can stay healthy and continue to improve each week, we are going to have a lot of fun." It sounds like Coach Lever expects his team to be one of the best teams in 5A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Silverton did lose some talent from last year's team, however. Here is a list of All-League players that have departed the program:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>RB Jackson Pfeifer (1st Team)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>OL Sam Clements (2nd Team)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With this Silverton team's high expectations, I asked Coach Lever for some of his guys that he expects to help meet those expectations. Here are the guys' Coach Lever named as his top players:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["511861"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The first player Coach Lever named was his impressive quarterback. Coach Lever had high praise for Sawyer. He wrote, u0022QB started as a sophomore and has a big arm that can make any throw and can hurt you outside the pocket with his athletic ability. He has the potential to be the best I have ever coached at this position if he continues to improve.u0022 Sawyer will have a lot of eyes on him this season, and I cannot wait to see how he performs.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["738892"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Up next is the impressive player on both sides of the ball. Coach Lever had this to say about his stud receiver and defensive back, u0022Cohen was all-state last year and has had a great offseason. (He) has the speed to make you pay and is very sure-handed. Defensively we look for him to be one of the top defensive players in the state at any level.u0022 Cohen will be a difference-maker for the Foxes this season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Elijah Howard","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Silverton","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Silverton will have some impressive skilled players this year, as the next player mentioned will be fun to watch on both sides of the ball. Here is what Coach Lever had to say about Elijah, u0022(He) will be a big part of what we are doing on both sides of the ball this year. His lateral quickness will give people trouble in space, and we expect him to be a lockdown corner for us this year.u0022","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["738891"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Up next is a player I have covered before, and he is someone who kept impressing me at different camps this offseason. Coach Lever expects more of the same from his 1st Team All-League defensive lineman. He said, u0022(Xavier is the) returning defensive lineman of the year in the Mid-Willamette league. We expect Xavier to be the heartbeat of our defense and help control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football. His quickness and speed of the ball will present some issues for people.u0022 Expect a big year from Xavier.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Elijah Willis","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Silverton","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Another lineman Coach Lever mentioned. Here is what he had to say about Elijah, u0022(Elijah) comes from a long line of Willis brothers that were all impact players for the Foxes. (He) started every game as a sophomore last season and made some big plays.u0022 I am excited to watch Elijah develop over these next couple of years.rnu003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["857552"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Up next is Diego, one of the more physical players on the team. Here are Coach Levers thoughts on his linebacker/power-back, u0022(He) has added strength and speed this offseason. Will be a one cut punishing back for us on offense and will play a vital role for us on defense.u0022rnu003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["738895"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"The next player mentioned is a player I am excited to watch this season. Coach Lever had this to say about Brody, u0022(Brody is the) fastest player on our team and will shoulder a lot of responsibility for our production on offense and defense this season. He is going to be fun to watch this year.u0022 If the Foxes are going to reach their goals this year, Brody will have to play a vital role.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1216435' first='Brody' last='Kuenzi']","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"2407","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Silverton","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Brody is a player that should develop well, as he has the size and skillset to dominate at the high school level. Coach Lever thinks so as well, u0022(Brody is an) outstanding multi-sport athlete that will make people pay over the middle with his range and soft hands. Defensively he will transfer his speed and strength into a force for us on the edge.u0022 Silverton should be pumped that Brody is a Fox.rnu003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1538647' first='Brash' last='Henderson']","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Silverton","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Brash plays linebacker and offensive line for the Foxes and will be an essential player. Here is what Coach Lever had to say about Brash, u0022(Brash) will be a factor for us on both sides of the ball this season. He started for us as a sophomore. With his size and athleticism, our scheme will showcase him at the point of attack.u0022rnu003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"Dalton Richie","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"Silverton","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_9_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Silverton has another big lineman that needs to be mentioned. u0022(Dalton) has had a great offseason, and we are looking for him to lead the way for our backs,u0022 wrote Coach Lever about his senior lineman.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_10_player_details_player_name":"David Hari","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_10_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_10_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_10_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_10_player_details_school":"Silverton","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_10_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_10_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_10_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Lastly, David will play wide receiver and defensive back for the Foxes this year, and Coach Lever expects him to be a top player for them. Coach Lever said, u0022(David) has had a great spring and summer and will play a critical role for us on both sides of the ball this season.u0022","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64caf7599a103"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Silverton will be one of the top teams in 5A this year. The ultimate question is; do they have enough to compete with Summit or Wilsonville for a state championship? This 2023 team has a ton of talent, so Silverton fans should be excited.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->