Silverton football is this week's Oregon Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard.
Photo courtesy of Ted Miller
In a playoff game between a No. 3 seed and a No. 6 seed, the No. 3 team is usually favored. But the
Silverton football team is no ordinary six-seed.
Despite coming into last Friday's 5A quarterfinal playoff game at 9-1, the Foxes were forced to play on the road against Springfield. Coach John Mannion rallied his team in a harsh environment to handily defeat the host, 35-3.
For earning a semifinal berth with a convincing playoff win, Silverton has been selected as the MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard.
Silverton trailed Springfield 3-0 after the first quarter, but the Foxes rattled off 35 unanswered points to cement the victory.
Max Wilson, Silverton
Photo courtesy of Ted Miller
"We had beaten (Springfield) earlier in a preseason non-league, so we were familiar with them and they knew how we played," said Mannion. "They are a good squad with lots of skilled players so I am proud of our team for the win. We focused on taking it one play at a time and settling in to the game. We have really been preparing since last January to get ready."
Silverton received a huge performance from senior running back
Max Wilson, who carried 31 times for 219 yards and three touchdowns. Junior quarterback
Cole Chandler was the consummate game manager, connecting on 10 of 17 passes for 168 yards and the team's two other touchdowns.
The touchdown passes were caught by junior
Logan Munson, who had four catches for 53 yards, and senior
Wyatt Arrington, who caught a 52-yard pass in addition to the touchdown.
"We have a great group of players. They are hard workers who bought into working hard," said Mannion. "The whole coaching staff is great and we have a really supportive community. We know that it is a constant work in progress and a building process of getting better each season.
"Most importantly, it really is the group of kids. They are an unselfish group, they are supportive of each other and the kids want to continue to get better."
There's another kid that Mannion holds in high regard — his son Sean is one of the top quarterbacks in college football at nearby Oregon State. In fact,
John moved the family from Northern California and left a coaching job at Foothill (Pleasanton), in part to be closer to his son.
"We are very proud of Sean. He is our oldest child and it's great to be able to watch some of his games," said Mannion. "It can be stressful, but I wouldn't want to do it any other way."
Problems can arise when John Mannion's job as a full-time coach conflicts with his job as a full-time dad.
For example, Silverton's semifinal playoff game against No. 2-seed West Albany — the only team to beat the Foxes this season — is set for Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Sean Mannion and Oregon State host Washington in Corvallis at 7:30 p.m. the same night.
"Our game coincides with his game this week, so we wish we could be there to watch him play, but we are happy both teams are doing great," said John Mannion. "I'm very proud of this high school team. Sean has come to some of our games and he knows some of the players, so it's good when we can support each other.
"There can be a lot going on and some anxiety, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, but we can't complain and are so happy."
MaxPreps editorial assistant Kirstin Beal contributed to this report.Do you know a team that deserves
consideration for Oregon Team of the Week? Email us with your
nominations at ORteamoftheweek@maxpreps.com.
