Hooked up to the again of Jake Silverman’s shoulder pads is a again plate with wording printed in higher case letters, “I FEAR NO MAN.”
Each good linebacker follows the identical commandment, as a result of in any other case you’d by no means be capable to play a place that requires sacrificing your physique and opening your thoughts to disrupt performs, confront larger linemen and make sort out after sort out even when exhausted.
That’s what the 6-foot-1, 215-pound senior from Torrance Excessive has performed for 4 years. He makes performs. Wherever the ball is headed, rely on him to seek out it like a magnet interested in a steel object.
“He’s instinctive,” coach Raymond Carter stated. “That’s what he’s best at. He knows where the ball is. We put him where we believe he can dominate and create mismatches.”
Jake Silverman’s message on the again of his Torrance Excessive soccer jersey.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Instances)
Dedicated to Nevada, Silverman is a real hometown hero.
“He’s a homegrown Torrance kid,” Carter stated. “He’s been sticking it out.”
There’s a degree of maturity, confidence and toughness that Silverman exudes when speaking and enjoying. His mom died from most cancers when he was 10, and he makes use of her reminiscence as motivation each time he steps on a area.
“She was the nicest person,” he stated. “She was a big sports fanatic and always said I’d do special things, and I wanted to make her proud.”
He doesn’t attempt to be unusual in something he does. He’s a two-time 110-meter hurdles champion within the Pioneer League and also will play baseball this season. Anybody who tells him to simply give attention to soccer 12 months a yr in highschool has no concept what they’re speaking about. He’s a newly turned 18-year-old who desires to have enjoyable along with his mates and classmates.
“I think it will better my football abilities,” he stated. “I believe if you’re athletic enough, you should play as many sports as possible to show off your athleticism. My dad taught me to be an independent man.”
With Silverman enjoying protection and catching passes as a good finish, Torrance (6-1) began the season 5-0 earlier than dropping to Redondo Union. He had 14 tackles and three catches for 97 yards in opposition to Rio Hondo Prep; 14 tackles in opposition to Redondo Union; 15 tackles in opposition to West Torrance; 20 tackles and an 80-yard landing reception in opposition to Peninsula. He additionally has 5 touchdowns dashing, all contained in the five-yard line.
His velocity turns out to be useful making an attempt to assist teammates cope with working backs and blockers.
“I believe he’s one of the best players in the state,” Carter stated. “He can play sideline to sideline.”
Silverman is the proper instance for “trusting the process” at his neighborhood faculty. He stayed for 4 years, has his school scholarship awaiting him and has made mates for all times.
“My thing is loyalty,” he stated. “Even if things weren’t working out, I wasn’t going to give up on the school.”
He’s the captain of the protection and a teen to admire for his willpower and old-school values.
“You have to be smart and nasty,” he stated.
He represents Torrance to the very best of his means and is proud what he has achieved.
“He’s just a dude,” Carter stated.
