Cygan leads Northville to emphatic rally against Plymouth
Michael Cygan carries the ball during the Mustangs’ Week 1 game against Lake Orion.
Whatever halftime message members of Northville’s coaching staff delivered to their team mid-way through Friday night’s KLAA West Division opener at Plymouth was profoundly effective.
The Mustangs rallied from a 7-6 deficit at the break to run away with a 35-7 triumph.
While the comeback was a team effort, it had senior quarterback Michael Cygan’s fingerprints all over it.
Cygan completed 17 of 19 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns — two to senior speedster Colin Charles and one each to running backs Max DeFore and Macklin Hart.
Charles was in charge in the second half, hauling in 11 receptions for 159 yards.
DeFore was ‘De’great
DeFore was the Mustangs’ rushing-game workhorse, churning out 87 yards on 14 carries.
Both teams needed the win to avoid starting the 2024 campaign 0-2.
The Wildcats started strong, grabbing a 7-0 first-quarter lead on Nick Dekiere’s 41-yard scoring run. Daniel Vigo added the extra point.
Northville pulled to within 7-6 in the second quarter on a 32-yard scoring hook-up between Cygan and DeFore. The extra point was unsuccessful.
The Mustangs seized the lead for good in the third quarter when Cygan hit Charles with a 77-yard TD pass. Cygan ran in the ensuing two-point conversion to make it 14-7.
Cygan on fire
Northville extended its lead to 28-7 later in the third quarter on TD passes from Cygan to Hart (34 yards) and Charles (5 yards).
The winners capped the scoring on DeFore’s 26-yard scoring run.
Drew Rankin led Northville with seven tackles. Cole Attanasio had six and Aiden Hamilton chipped in with five. Blake Chmiel recorded Northville’s lone sack.
Cooper Derkach intercepted a pass for the Mustangs.
Pheiffer completed 4 of 6 passes for 39 yards for Plymouth.
Dekiere carries the Wildcats’ ground game
Dekiere carried the ball 14 times for 85 yards while Pheiffer registered 36 yards on nine hauls.
Jimmy Cleveland was Plymouth’s top receiver, securing three passes for 37 yards, including a 28-yarder.
Plymouth was stymied, in part, by two 80-yard-plus touchdowns that were negated by penalties.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
