Last season, West Aurora’s Brendon Salach was a factor as a two-way player at tight end and defensive end, especially on offense. But this fall as a senior?
Salach has taken his game to another level by starting and making a difference at both positions, earning the praise of Blackhawks coach Nate Eimer.
“He plays pretty much every snap, every game,” Eimer said of Salach. “If you were to draft a perfect football player, a perfect teammate, it is Brendon Salach. He is literally perfect.”
With plenty of openings in his lineup due to heavy graduation losses, Eimer anticipated he would need more two-way starters than he typically prefers. And Salach fit the bill.
“It’s a challenge,” Eimer said. “We’re using Brendon so much, you don’t want to wear him out. I don’t know if we’ve had a kid with his depth of skill set. He’s literally an elite wide receiver, elite tight end and elite defensive end.
“He’s so smart. You tell him one time how to do something and he gets it. He has to because that’s the challenge that’s hard when you’re playing a guy two ways, you don’t get to talk to him.”
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Salach caught nine passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns last year while developing as a blocker. He’s better even better this season.
Salach has 10 receptions for 172 yards and two TDs for the Blackhawks (5-3), who wrap up the regular season at 6 p.m. Friday on the road against crosstown rival East Aurora (5-3).
The biggest growth for Salach has come on defense. He’s fifth on West Aurora’s list with 24 tackles, including four sacks that tie him with senior linebacker Darius Stewart for the team lead.
A year ago, Salach made just four tackles in limited play.
“Oh gosh, he’s an iron man,” said West Aurora assistant coach Mike Runge, who has had an up-close look at Salach’s development. “I was D-line coach last year and had him in pieces.
“He wasn’t one of our first four. This year, the boss puts me with tight ends, and Brendon is as important a D-end as he is a tight end. He’s really grown.”
Salach was asked to explain his transformation.
“Last year was more of an offensive focus,” he said. “I still like it most, but I definitely like defense a lot more this year than last year. I think since the offseason, I’ve gotten a lot better.
“It’s become more fun. I spent a lot of time in the weight room in the winter and spring. It was well over 100 sessions if you include summer.”
That ritual started freshman year as Salach worked with West Aurora strength and conditioning coach Thomas Kraus.
“He never missed one day,” Eimer said. “Again, when I say the word perfect, he’s pretty much it.”
Runge echoed that sentiment, noting Salach’s 4.9 GPA.
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“I proctored AP exams last year in my retirement gig,” Runge said. “I saw him every day, every test.”
West Aurora’s offense has been more run vs. pass with 1,718 yards on the ground led by senior Bryce Riley with 931. Senior quarterback Tyler Fecht has thrown for 821 yards with 11 TDs.
Is Salach’s blocking more important than his receiving?
“Because of who we are this year, yes,” Runge said. “Tyler’s done great, but we are a more ground-oriented team. Our tight end, with our scheme, is at the point of attack a lot.
“Brendon’s the guy.”
Although he hasn’t finally decided on whether to pursue playing football in college, Salach has been leaning toward pursuing a degree in accounting.
Salach believes improving the balance on offense will serve the Blackhawks well in the playoffs.
“We started run heavy, but we’ve developed the passing game more lately,” he said. “The biggest thrill is obviously catching a touchdown. But the run game blocking and getting a pancake, that’s always great.”