Nighthawks’ Oliva Nominated for Defensive Playmaker of the Year

Nighthawks’ junior outside linebacker Elian Oliva was a dominant force for Northfield’s defense this year. He led the defense with both tackles (9.6 per game) and sacks (9.5 on the season). He finished 13th in the state in sacks. He also had the most tackles for loss on the team with 16. During his first two years with the Nighthawks, Oliva played safety, but this year the team needed something different. “They needed someone to step up at outside linebacker and fill that role after losing a few seniors,” Oliva remembers, “At fall camp I was playing safety and they were experimenting with me at different positions on the field and I played best at outside linebacker.” Oliva did more than fill the void left by graduating seniors as he and his defense helped the Nighthawks overcome a tough start on the way to a successful 6-5 record in their first year in the 4A conference. The Nighthawks finished the year as the 18th-ranked 4A squad in the state.

Last week, in recognition of his outstanding season, Oliva finished second in Playmaker’s Corner 4A Defensive Playmaker of the Year voting. Playmaker’s Corner is a media outlet that covers high school football across Colorado and promotes some of the best athletes in the state. Since 2021 they have polled fans and the media to hand out end-of-season awards to Colorado’s top high school football players. Oliva received 31% of the vote and finished second out of four finalists, beaten only by cornerback Mason Smiley of Broomfield High School who finished the season with five interceptions.

Oliva now looks toward his senior season. With a full year of experience at his new position, he has good reason to think this year was only the start. “My senior season I want to pass everything that I’ve done this year: sacks, tackles for loss, and tackles overall.” He has also set a goal of making a CHSAA (Colorado High School Activities Association) all-state team. Oliva has considered playing football collegiately but for now, he said, “I’m taking that step-by-step.”