Gulls in the News: Silva stepping up for Endicott squad

He snared 11 interceptions as a high school junior in Londonderry, N.H., and six more the following season after transferring to Maynard High, where he was also a standout quarterback.

But Jason Silva had to wait his turn last fall as a freshman safety at Endicott College, second on the depth chart behind senior P.J. Bay, a two-time all-New England Football Conference first-team selection for the Beverly school.

“I didn’t spend a lot of time on the field,’’ recalled Silva, a Central Massachusetts All-Star for Maynard High, “but I knew that three-fourths of our starting backfield was graduating, and it was up to me to earn one of those positions.’’

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Silva hardly skipped a beat when given an opportunity this season as the starting free safety. Through three games for the undefeated Gulls, Silva had a team-high four interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries, including a couple of picks in a season-opening 33-13 victory over Framingham State University.

One of the interceptions, early in the game at the Endicott 1-yard line, was followed by a 74-yard scoring drive for the Gulls.

“I actually had a nightmarish start,’’ said Silva. “I had a ball thrown over my head that luckily wasn’t caught, and then after I was knocked silly. Framingham went to the no-huddle and their receiver beat me for a touchdown.

“But then I settled down and got my first interception on a tipped ball and ran down the sideline. I also learned a lesson from the first TD they scored, and got into the right coverage that led to the second interception.’’

“Jason did a good job last year backing up P.J.,’’ said Endicott head coach J.B. Wells, whose team will host Salve Regina on Saturday. “There are some freshmen who come in and have a ‘ride and observe’ attitude, but not Jason.

He paid attention and learned from our veterans. He’s a quiet kid, very unassuming. He listens, works hard, does everything you ask of him, and come Saturday he does his talking with his pads.’’

His coach at Maynard High, Kevin Capone, said he realized Silva was “a program player’’ in preseason camp.

“He had just moved from New Hampshire and said he wanted to do anything to help the team,’’ Capone said. “Well, he helped us make the postseason playoffs for the first time since 1987, and he was a game-changer who also returned punts.

“I wish I had coached Kevin all four years,’’ added Capone, “and it’s been a pleasure to watch him mature and play well in college.’’

Silva said his approach is “a lot different than other defensive backs. A lot of times when the ball is in the air I first go for the ball instead of the tackle. Maybe it’s because I used to be a center fielder and enjoyed running down the baseball.’’