Los Fresnos QB Silva limits his mistakes, uses size advantage

The pulse of the Los Fresnos offense that has won 11 consecutive game in 2008 is under center.

And every opponent knows it.

Yet teams still haven't found an answer to stop 6-foot-2, 240-pound senior quarterback Danny Silva, who has led the Falcons to another successful season with at least one more to go.

"He is the best quarterback in the Valley," Los Fresnos coach Scott Ford said. "And I'll stand behind that."

Silva has given defensive coordinators fits this season, and one of the reasons is not just the fact he tends to hurdle opposing tacklers or throw touchdowns on a regular basis. It's his decision making.

The quarterback who is built like a linebacker has thrown 24 touchdowns and one interception, which came Oct. 30 against Hanna when the Falcons won 30-7. He's completed 104-of-188 passes for 1,704 yards, which in the NFL would be a quarterback rating of 123.32.

Even Silva admits that has been the best part of his maturation as a quarterback.

"I've been taking care of the ball more this year," he said. "Last year I would try to force things, but having another year with the guys has helped. I have a lot of confidence in them."

Ford attributes the lack of turnovers on offense in part to of Silva's running ability. The senior has rushed for 1,054 yards on 141 attempts, giving him 7.31 yards a carry, not to mention the 14 touchdowns as well. In the bi-district playoff game against Edinburg North, Silva even caught a pass for 13 yards to put Los Fresnos inside the Cougars' 5-yard line.

He is one of two quarterbacks in District 32-5A to rush and pass for 1,000 yards this season.

"He is the best player on our team," Ford said. "He has a heart of gold, the kids, coaches respect him and the way he carries himself. He's made his legacy here and nothing is going to change that. Danny just loves to play football. If I asked him right now to line up and play nose guard, he'd do it."

Ford first saw Silva throwing passes for Resaca Middle School and noticed one particular characteristic that has flourished over the years.

"The kids looked up to him," he said. "I wasn't 100-percent sure he was the quarterback for me, but I was 100-percent sure he was a leader and a winner."

The soft-spoken senior said he's always been told he was a leader and never really bought into it. But as the years have gone he's noticed that his collectiveness in the game has made a difference.

"Every one always said I was a leader, but I never thought so because I'm not the type to talk a lot like some of the others," Silva. "But I realized it was a different type of leadership and just staying calm even when the pressure is on has helped."

Louie Vera covers 32-5A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers. He can be reached at (956) 982-6663 or via e-mail at lvera@brownsvilleherald.com.