Senior Justin Gold is playing his third year of varsity football at Buffalo Grove.
His teammate, junior Carlos Salgado, is playing in only his second year of organized football.
Yet Gold and Salgado have meshed well on Buffalo Grove’s defensive line. The two defensive ends, both from Wheeling, have fortified a revamped defense that has led the charge in the program’s resurgent season.
The Bison (6-0, 2-0 Mid-Suburban East) are playoff-bound for the first time since 2003.
Buffalo Grove has allowed 36 points this season and has held each opponent to eight points or fewer. Gold collected nine tackles and Salgado added five in Buffalo Grove’s 44-7 victory against Elk Grove on Sept. 28.
Buffalo Grove coach Jeff Vlk said Gold, also a tight end, and Salgado are capable of playing different spots on the line each week.
“Justin has a motor that doesn’t stop, and he’s a fun kid to coach,” Vlk said. “He’s fundamentally sound. His maturity level has really improved. Last year, he wasn’t as good as a practice player, and I don’t think he watched a lot of film. We’ve seen that maturity, and he’s taken ownership of his position and watching more film and becoming a leader.
“Carlos is a diamond in the rough that we found. He started playing football as a sophomore. I kept noticing him on the sophomore film last year. I didn’t know him. We kept an eye on him this summer, and he’s grown up.”
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Gold, who is 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, was a menace to the Grenadiers’ offense. His play at tight end and defensive end triggered Buffalo Grove’s second-half outburst that led to the rout.
“We definitely held our gaps and used our hands really well,” Gold said. “We knew they were going to pass, and we ran after their quarterback and hit him a few times.”
Gold also plays basketball and said he plans to try out for the baseball team this season.
“I’m playing (football) so much better than last year,” he said. “I matured a lot, and our team is taking things a lot more seriously. Our defense is more disciplined this year, and we hold our gaps really well and our linebackers are fast.”
The 6-3, 192-pound Salgado said he decided to try football after one of the coaches noticed his size.
“I kept working hard in practice to get better,” Salgado said. “I’m glad I stuck with football. It’s been crazy. I love playing defensive end, and I stuck with it after the coaches put me there.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press