Crown Point senior Nate Kalk knows the key to his success on the football field.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound defensive end runs track, after all.

“I use my speed a lot,” Kalk said. “I do think I’m faster than most offensive linemen that I play against. My mobility and flexibility helps me a lot, and reaction time too. Getting off the ball quickly helps a lot.”

His speed is important for the Bulldogs too.

“I can get across an O-lineman’s face and get in my gap faster, and that helps my defense,” he said.

Kalk, a standout hurdler, has been an impact player on that defense. He has 43 tackles, second on the team, with a team-high 12 tackles for loss for Crown Point (8-0, 6-0), which is ranked No. 5 in Class 6A in the state coaches poll and is on the verge of back-to-back undefeated regular seasons and Duneland Athletic Conference titles.

In his first season as a starter, Kalk has impressed coach Craig Buzea.

“Nate has been one of our bright spots among a bunch of bright spots on our defense,” Buzea said. “He has made himself into an outstanding football player because he’s a tireless worker. He’s a little undersized for a defensive end. But his energy, his motor, his willingness to make plays — he’s just a program kid for us. … He’s one of those guys who practices the way he plays.

“He has one speed. He never has an excuse for anything. He just goes hard. I don’t want to say he’s a pleasant surprise because we thought he would be a good player. But he’s really lifted his game up.”

Kalk, who gained 20 pounds during the offseason, was an outside linebacker in his first two seasons before moving to defensive end last year. He saw some time at that position as a junior, but he has seized it this season.

“My communication skills and being able to talk throughout our defense and telling people what our calls will be and recognizing keys all have gotten better,” Kalk said. “Overall, I’m just more physical than last year.”

Kalk has also been a mainstay on special teams since he was a sophomore.

“He sets our wedge on our kickoff return team,” Buzea said. “He’s one of those guys, ‘Wherever you need me, coach, I’ll play.’”

Senior linebacker Will Clark, who has committed to play at Buffalo, has seen Kalk’s development.

“Nate has been a player who’s really improved from last year,” Clark said. “He’s been doing great as a leader. He’s always motivating the guys, always getting the guys hyped up, getting ready for practice and the game. He’s a big part of our success on the D-line.

“He’s quick. He might not always be the biggest, but he knows how to use his speed. He’s just really improved from last year.”

Kalk also had a big season in track last spring. He won a regional title in the 300-meter hurdles to qualify for the state meet and was a regional qualifier in the 110 hurdles as well. He helped the Bulldogs win their first regional title in the sport.

Kalk didn’t begin competing in track until he was a freshman.

“It was because of football,” he said. “I wanted to get faster, and it was something to do in the offseason to stay fit. I never thought it would take me as far as it did.”

Post-Tribune

Twice-weekly

See also  White Sox beat Rangers following overturned call at the plate

News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday

Buzea appreciates Kalk’s combination of talents.

“You don’t see many hurdlers who are defensive ends,” Buzea said. “We love multisport athletes, and he’s certainly one of those who’s successful not only on the track but on the football field as well.”

Kalk is planning to study exercise science at Indianapolis. He is exploring his athletic options, given his accomplishments for the Bulldogs especially the last two years.

“Junior year, I feel like we surpassed everybody’s expectations,” he said. “We’re still building from last year into this year. Our mentality has stayed the same throughout — just win as a team.”

Kalk has done his share.

“He knows he’s a little bit undersized,” Buzea said. “He knows he can’t get into wrestling matches with some of these 275-pound linemen. So he’s found ways.

“Our defense is always moving, so that helps him to be able to fight some of those bigger guys off. There are times when he’s blocked, but he doesn’t stay blocked. That’s really the key to his success, just not allowing people to block him for a long period of time. He’s just never out of the play.”