Silverton Foxes ready for a deep playoff run in 2023
Second-year coach Dan Lever has 17 returning players and everyone is hungry
The Mid Willamette Conference at the 5A football level in Oregon is probably the most competitive league on the field. And the Silverton Foxes, who took home the state title two years ago, are looking to get back to the title game after a quarterfinal loss last season.
Silverton—under then-first year coach Dan Lever, who came from 6A power Tualatin—had a pair of late losses in conference play last year, and fell in the quarters to powerhouse Wilsonville 39-26.
Coach Lever likes what he has on the field as fall camp begins. It starts with 17 returning players and includes a solid base of supporting teammates.
“You never have a real rebuilding year in Silverton,” says Lever.
“Just a lot of young talent in the program is waiting their turn.”
A long list of returnees saw significant time on the field as juniors and sophomores. The largest crop of competitors is on the offensive line.
Lever says senior returnees Xavier Orosco, Will Kuenzi, Dalton Richie, and Eric Rappe’ provide solid leadership. A large crop of juniors is also back on the line. Brash Henderson-state wrestling runner up at 220 pounds is perhaps the most recognizable. But the other juniors are equally impressive: Oliver Zurbrugg, Zavien Black, Elijah Willlis, and Josue Verdejo.
Many of those same names will be play extended minutes on the defensive line. There will also be Max Mulick and junior Brody Kuenzi on the d-line. Senior Cohen Mulick—an all-state performer last season—is back to patrol the secondary at safety and will have help from both senior David Hari. Also look for Brash Henderson to make big plays at linebacker, along with Diego Flores.
Back on the offensive side, mobile and strong armed junior Sawyer Teeney is back at quarterback. He is expected to be even more confident in handling his duties as signal caller. The tailback position will include seniors Brody Sullivan and Diego Flores. Cohen Mulick and Hari will be contributors at wide receiver.
On special teams, Sawyer Enderle returns at place kicker, where he shared duties at the end of last season.
Coach Lever has high expectations for his, tempered by the possibility of injuries.
“This group has the potential to make a deep playoff run,” he says cautiously.
“With high school, you are just 1-2 injuries away from being really good or really bad.”
Several conference teams are expected to challenge the Foxes for the Mid Willamette championship. They include Central and South Albany—which finished tied with Silverton for the crown last year—as well as Central, West Albany, Lebanon, and Dallas—which hosts the season opener between the two teams on September first.
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Interesting fact, senior Cohen Mulick is also a referee for youth football on Saturdays.