David Silva – Central Jersey Sports Radio

Playing football in high school is a time-consuming affair. There’s weight room, film study, practices, travel to games, and all of that is on top of the typical school work there is to be done.

But playing and coaching? For Bernards’ David Silva, it’s no problem.

So in addition to being a solid lineman on a very good defensive squad for the Mountaineers – with 67 tackles, drawing double teams so his teammates could make plays – Silva helped coach the school district’s eighth grade team this year.

Couple that with the fact he played soccer in the fall up until his sophomore year, the senior College of New Jersey commit – and native of Brazil – did more than enough to earn Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Leadership Award for 2024.

He also happens to be a heavyweight wrestler, and a thrower for Bernards’ state championship track team.

Click below to hear Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Chris Tsakonas talk to Bernards senior David Silva:

Honorable Mentions:

Nahjae Smith, Elizabeth: Thee sophomore caught 32 passes for 640 yards and a touchdown, ran for 47 more and a score, while recording 84 tackles from the defensive backfield, with two pass breakups and a pick-six for 53 yards. What’s more impressive is his 4.45 GPA, and six major scholarship offers. Head coach Eugene Kline says he’s an “excellent teammate, who genuinely cares about the program, his teammates and coaches.”
Max Nuzzi, Somerville: At tight end, he recorded 18 catches for 218 yards and five touchdowns, while logging 108 tackles (60 solo), 3 1/2 sacks, eight TFLs and a pick six from his linebacker position. Head coach Matt Bloom says he’s “not afraid to tell his teammates the truth” and calls him “the beast leader I have ever coached.”
Max Austin, Bernards: While Silva won the award, his teammate certainly was in the running. Austin, a senior D-back/wide receiver, had six picks on defense, as well as 22 catches on offense, along with four touchdowns. Coach Jon Simoneau says he drew the top cover assignment every week and didn’t allow a passing touchdown all season.

For Bernards defensive lineman David Silva, football was not supposed to be in the cards.

He originally began his high school career as a soccer player, and anticipated playing the sport for the rest of his time in high school.

That is until Mountaineers’ head coach Jon Simoneau saw him lifting with the soccer team.

Simoneau quickly convinced him to join the football team. Since then, Silva has worked hard to become one of Bernards’ most reliable defensive players, including becoming a captain alongside a key group of seniors.

Simoneau noted that Silva is one of those players on the defensive line who may not stuff the stat sheet, but he keeps the attention of opposing offensive linemen and coaches, which opens up lanes for his teammates.

That doesn’t mean Silva’s name is empty in the box score, however. He has had a tremendous senior season, racking up 57 tackles and showing up in big games. That includes a dramatic 29-23 win over Summit at Olcott Field, where Silva had a season-high 11 tackles.

The Mountaineers completed their second consecutive undefeated regular season and now look to win their second straight sectional championship – and second ever – in Friday night’s home matchup against Shabazz.

Led by standouts like Silva, Bernards has been able to reach new heights in recent years.

The second-seeded Mountaineers (11-0) and fifth-seeded Bulldogs (8-2) will face off at 7 pm on Friday night at Olcott Field.

Click below to hear Bernards defensive lineman David Silva talk about Friday’s North 1 Group 2 title game against Shabazz: