prep football preview:

Silverado expects a memorable season

Sam Morris

Silverado football players, from left, Terran Madu-Jules, Matt Hollen and Jacob Dlouhy Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009.

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

Silverado High senior quarterback Trenton Tipton is a difference maker.

The ‘Hawks were 3-0 last fall and cruising past opponents when an injury to Tipton’s throwing shoulder started a series of events that led to their collapse.

Silverado lost five of its last six games, including a heartbreaking 6-0 defeat to neighboring Liberty High — the first time Liberty beat Silverado since it opened in 2003.

Tipton returned for the final games of the season, but was limited to playing wide receiver. Now fully healthy, Tipton could be the driving force behind Silverado having a memorable season.

“They key to our season is Trenton Tipton,” Silverado coach Andy Ostolaza said. “He adds the elusiveness to the quarterback spot that you don’t find in our division. He’s a playmaker. The kids have a ton of confidence with him back at quarterback.”

Tipton isn’t Silverado’s lone weapon.

While it was painful going through a losing season, Ostolaza made the best out of the situation by starting mostly underclassmen. This year, he returns 17 starters.

Tipton’s biggest target will be tight end Matt Hollen, a physical 6-foot-4, 240-pound receiver who has been impressive in offseason workouts. Junior receiver Ladale Jackson, one of the Silverado’s fastest players, will be another threat in the passing game.

Senior running back Terran Madu-Jules will return for his third year on varsity and will run behind one of the area’s top offensive lines, which will be anchored by 6-foot-1, 263-pound guard Seth Bohman.

Madu-Jules will be joined in the backfield by Tyler Anderson and Dariouse Gravely and Ostolaza plans on playing multiple backs at the same time.

“It doesn’t make sense to keep that much speed off the field,” he said.

If Ostolaza seems optimistic, it’s because he is. He has a senior-heavy roster and plenty of options on both sides of the ball.

“I joke around with the other coaches that if we don’t get to the playoffs and do something special that I will resign,” Ostolaza said.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com.

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