Boone Grove’s Sal Montes doesn’t look like a sophomore, sound like a sophomore or play like a sophomore.
The versatile 6-foot-4, 225-pound Montes, described by Wolves coach Dan Kukulski as “like a Swiss Army knife for us,” has the bearing of an upperclassman.
“He’s a very mature kid and a very special athlete,” Kukulski said. “I told people in the preseason, ‘Keep an eye on No. 13. He’s going to be something special.’ When we played South Central, the phone calls and emails started, like, ‘He’s only a sophomore?’ He’s just getting started.
“He’s a great kid, great athlete, great family. They’re very supportive of us.”
Montes has been doing his part to support the youthful Wolves (1-3), who have 20 freshmen and just five healthy seniors among the 42 players on their roster.
He has played tight end, wide receiver, running back and even quarterback on offense, plus free safety on defense.
“We’re trying to minimize what he’s actually focusing on,” Kukulski said. “We know what he’s good at. Sal’s a big-time run threat. Throwing, he’s getting there.”
Montes, who turned 16 years old on Thursday, has shown an ability to contribute in multiple areas.
Through three games, he rushed for 313 yards and four touchdowns on 37 carries, completed 4 of 11 passes for 49 yards, and had 17 tackles, two for loss and an interception. He rushed for 264 yards and four TDs during Boone Grove’s win against South Central in Week 2.
Montes laughed when he was asked about playing various positions. He said he simply enjoys being on the field.
“If I had a favorite, it would be tight end just because of my size,” he said. “I was meant to be there.”
Primarily a wide receiver last season, Montes debuted with 29 catches for 288 yards and five TDs, six carries for 34 yards and a TD, and 14 tackles.
“It felt awesome,” he said. “I was super excited for it. But that first game against John Glenn, I was nervous. I was still 14. I was scared, man. I was nervous. But as the season went along, I fit in a lot better.”
Montes has grown close to 2 inches and has gained about 30 pounds since last season. Given the composition of Boone Grove’s roster, he has made an effort to set an example this season.
“I’m trying to be more vocal,” he said. “I want to be more of a leader out on the field. I want to pick everybody up out there.
“I’ve definitely taken on more of a leadership role. Last year, we had all of those seniors, so I was always kind of laid back. I wasn’t very vocal out on the field. But now I’ve stepped up, and I feel like I’m one of the bigger guys on the field. The guys rally behind me really well. They all believe in me, and they’re looking to support me.”
Boone Grove junior linebacker Bradley Aguayo, another team leader, appreciates Montes.
“He brings everything,” Aguayo said. “He’s a beast. He brings the energy. He brings the hope. He brings the hope when we’re in doubt.”
Kukulski mentioned the “dreams” Montes suddenly has in football.
“At the beginning of the season, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to go to the next level,” Kukulski said. “Through his efforts and seeing what he can do, he’s in. Last week, we had a talk with him. We’re getting contacted. He wants to do building construction, construction management.
“I told him, ‘You do the work, take advantage of the tools we give you, if you want to do camps, showcases and all of that stuff, let me know, and we’ll get your name out there.’ He’s committed to the point where he’s going to ride it as far as he can ride it, to the highest level he can go. And at 6-foot-4, 225, with his athleticism, he can go far and high.”
Montes also plays basketball and volleyball, underscoring that athleticism. After opening last basketball season on the junior varsity team, he moved up to varsity during the early stages and eventually emerged as the Wolves’ sixth man. He averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds. Montes said football is his “priority,” however.
Improving is a priority for the Wolves. Kukulski noted the 2025 class, which included quarterback Mark Rowland and linebacker/offensive lineman Khaled Alzeer, also experienced “rough seas” early in their careers.
“We have the guys,” Kukulski said. “We’re just young. We’ll be OK. We just have to develop.”
Montes agrees that the Wolves will rebound.
“We’re shaping up,” he said. “We’re a young team, but we’re progressing really well.
“It’s an awesome group of guys. We’re going to keep building it, keep progressing through the season. We can do something with this.”