Silverton Foxes: A look at the Oregon 5A finalists

The No. 3 Silverton Foxes are set to take on the No. 1 Summit Storm at Hillsboro Stadium on Friday at 5 p.m. in the Oregon 5A state title game.   After losing 25 seniors a year ago, Silverton, on paper, didn't initially project to be in this spot.   But the emergence of several young stars, particularly in the trenches, has made them a dangerous squad - perhaps ahead of schedule.   Silverton senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1687846' first='Chase' last='Dominguez'] joined the squad this offseason in replacement of a three-year starter and has been special.   The dual-threat quarterback was a first-team all-league selection and leads a balanced offensive attack that has scored 33 passing touchdowns and 32 rushing touchdowns on the year.   Running back Nash Moser was a second-team all-league selection, but he shared the load with Levi Shusher.    That one-two punch has filled in admirably since sophomore Keysean Davis went down with an injury early in the season.   The passing attack is fueled by depth at receiver, and a star performer at tight end.    Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1585710' first='Sutton' last='Kuenzi'], a returning all-state defensive back, is a big play waiting to happen, while senior Nolan Horner and senior Gavin Aguero, another McKay transfer, round out the group.   Wide receiver/tight end [player_tooltip player_id='770007' first='Logan' last='Uitto'] has 13 touchdowns on the year and is a versatile piece who has proven to give defenses fits regardless of where he lines up.   At the start of the season, some questioned how Silverton would replace four offensive linemen from last year's squad, but it has become a strength.   Two sophomores stepped up to play admirably - with guard Mark Bailey earning first-team all-league honors and Cal Kofstad being an honorable mention choice.   Junior center Kane Mack is another standout and was a fellow all-league selection.   In all, six Fox linemen earned an all-league nod, highlighting the depth and talent of the group.   It's been one of the big stories of the season for Silverton.   Defensively, Silverton is a versatile group that can throw a lot at opposing offenses.   Silverton junior [player_tooltip player_id='937036' first='Lincoln' last='Teeney'] was the conference's defensive player of the year, but he suffered an injury in the quarterfinals and hasn't yet returned.   His status for the title game is unknown.   Silverton boasts several first-team all-league defenders, including senior defensive lineman Ryan Kuenzi, sophomore edge-rusher Mark Bailey, junior linebacker Luke Horner and senior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1585710' first='Sutton' last='Kuenzi'].    Junior edge James Collier was a second-team selection alongside sophomore linebacker Ryder VanDeweghe and senior safety [player_tooltip player_id='770007' first='Logan' last='Uitto'].   Biggest win: Coeur d'Alene, Wilsonville, Mountain View   After losing 25 senior, Silverton looked pretty solid in fall camp, but no one was entirely sure what to expect.   A 21-14 win over a talent Idaho club in the season opener was a sign of things to come.   Silverton would reload, not rebuild.   Still, many expected a Central Oregon final of Summit and Mountain View.   Folks may have underrated Silverton, especially after they beat a talented Wilsonville squad in the quarterfinals.    The Foxes beat Mountain View 35-21 to get to the title game, and are playing their best ball of late.   It's a young group that has gotten significantly better over the second half of the season.   The Foxes are sneaky and dangerous.   Biggest loss: Lebanon   Silverton lost to Lebanon 34-28 in mid-October, but were without both their starting quarterback and running back, as well as a couple of other key pieces.   The narrow loss was a bitter blow for a young team that was beginning to feel like a special group.   But that loss became a rallying moment for the young team, and a sigh they still had a lot of work to do.   Since the loss, Silverton has improved significantly and is playing its best ball in the past two weeks.   Status: Fiesty underdog   Summit is the No. 1 seed and enters the state title game undefeated.   Unsurprisingly, that makes them a favorite.   But no team appears to be a “juggernaut” this year, as every team as a loss or a few close games to point to.    The Storm beat Wilsonville 28-20, Mountain View 21-14 and West Albany 14-13.    To put that into perspective, Silverton beat Wilsonville 35-32, Mountain View 35-21 and West Albany 29-0.   So while the Foxes are viewed as the slight underdog heading into the title game, they should not be taken lightly.   Expect a good battle.

The No. 3 Silverton Foxes are set to take on the No. 1 Summit Storm at Hillsboro Stadium on Friday at 5 p.m. in the Oregon 5A state title game.