Sophomore Silvera shows potential to start as quarterback

By Rollie Nichols
Staff Writer

Under the Friday night lights, the varsity football team takes the field to play against teams from across the South Bay area. Sophomore Jacob Silvera is one of the varsity quarterbacks alongside senior Greg Briskin that will be playing this year.
Silvera has played football since he was eight years old. He has played six years of tackle football, and this will be his second year suiting up for varsity at Costa.

Coach Don Morrow has been helping Silvera with his mechanics and leadership. With practice, Silvera helped lead his team to a victory against Downey on Sept. 13 while playing the entire second quarter.
“Morrow is a great coach who teaches me a lot about how to be a great quarterback, teammate and leader,” Silvera said. “The team worked hard during the week, and it paid off. Morrow worked us hard and was happy with the outcome of the game.”

Being one of three sophomores on the team, Silvera has learned to respect the upperclassmen. The coaches strive to have equality within the team.
“Jacob tries his hardest to make his teammates better, so I consider him an equal on the team,” junior tight end and linebacker Dane Largent said.
Silvera was put into his first varsity game during the second quarter against Notre Dame High School on Aug. 30. Silvera had four completed passes in eight attempts, 108 passing yards and eight rushing yards.

“Although we did not win, the game gave us an opportunity to get better by working harder and bonding as a team,” Silvera said. “We are ready to play our best and work as a team to go far in League.”

Morrow was impressed by Silvera’s performance against Notre Dame High School, but he still has to decide whether Brisken or Silvera will start.

“I do not have a starting quarterback right now, but I will be using the preseason to see who that will be,” Morrow said. “They both have great strengths and weaknesses and are in equal contention to earn the starting spot,.”

The football team is working to have a successful season this year and improve from last year’s performance.

“Not turning the ball over and playing as a team will be the key to our team’s success this season,” Silvera said.