Here’s who Mustangs are counting on for entertaining encore
Senior Colin Charles breaks free during a mid-August practice.
Possibly for the first time since football players wore leather helmets, Northville enters the 2024 season with a gigantic target on its back courtesy of last season’s historic 10-2 record.
The Mustangs’ only two 2023 blemishes were against juggernaut Belleville — and there’s no shame in that, considering the nationally-ranked Tigers outscored their opponents 679-131.
“After last season, everybody we play is going to give us their best game, so we better be ready to go,” said second-year head coach Brent Luplow. “I thought we had a great off-season. Everybody worked hard; we were able to get bigger, faster and stronger thanks to Ethos Performance, whose strength trainers and coaches led our off-season workouts.
“I was pleasantly surprised by how we performed in our two-way scrimmage with Saginaw Heritage (on Aug. 22). I’m always optimistic going into things like that. You practice so long and the guys are ready to hit somebody else besides their teammates. You never know how you’re going to show up, but we played well on both sides of the ball.”
(Check out highlights of Northville’s 2023 playoff victory over Detroit Catholic Central by clicking here.)
Reloading on offense
After losing a load of high-performance starters to graduation on both sides of the ball, the Mustangs are primed to continue their high-octane brand of football.
Replacing last year’s starting quarterback Isaac Pace will be senior Michael Cygan, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound dual-threat field general. Junior Cooper Derkach has also earned at least a share of opportunities under center, Luplow said.
“Michael is a big, strong quarterback who can deliver some bruising runs as well as throw it,” Luplow said. “Last year, we threw it more with Isaac; this year, we’ll probably be more 50/50 because of our quarterbacks’ ability to run, which is nice.
“Cooper is a quick little athlete and can throw it and run.”
Northville’s running attack will be powered by juniors Max DeFore and Macklin Hart, the duo who Luplow labeled as his team’s “two-headed monster”.
“Max is more of a big, bruising type,” Luplow said. “He’s about 210 and runs downhill. Mack is more of a shifty little scatback. I’m excited to see them both get better as the season moves along. They’ve both looked great so far.”
The Mustangs’ No. 1 H-back/fullback is junior Jack Ranka, a lacrosse player who, “isn’t afraid of anyone,” Luplow added.
Potent one-two punch
Seniors Colin Charles and Kaden Kuban — numbers 1 and 2, respectively, in your program — will provide the Mustangs with a potent one-two punch at receiver.
“I think Colin is one of the best athletes in the league,” Luplow said. “He can do it all. We’ll move him around a lot, but he’ll be a weapon wherever he is.
“Kaden played a lot of running back for us last year, but he’s a great athlete who has handled the position change without missing a beat. We’ll get him the ball as much as possible. He can run you over or run around you, which makes him tough to stop.”
Luplow is expecting big things from senior tight end Cole Attanasio.
“Cole is an undersized tight end, but he works as hard as anybody,” Luplow said. “He has great hands and he run blocks extremely well for a high school tight end.”
Promising O-line
The Mustangs’ offensive line will be anchored by senior center Noah Rydzewski, a first-year starter. He’ll be flanked by guards Anthony Testani and Ian Gonzalez. Hassan El-Zayat and Adam Travers will give Northville a strong set of starting tackles.
“Noah is one of the hardest workers on this team, but he had to be to get to where he is now,” said Luplow of Rydzewski, who didn’t start playing football until his freshman year of high school. “His hard work in the weight room has brought him so far. That he is starting as a senior for a top-25 team in the state is a testament to his work ethic.
“Hassan is a three-year varsity starter. As he goes, we’ll go. Adam was a center last year. At 6-3, 240, he’s one of our bigger linemen. He’s done a great job of perfecting his craft this off-season.”
Senior Ryan O’Neil will take over the kicking duties from graduated Sonny Rentz, while Colton Thiel will be the team’s long-snapper.
Leading the Mustangs’ defensive line will be El-Zayat, Noah Chiaravalle and Gonzalez, with Luke Stover (6-5, 300), Trae Hutchinson and Sean Fry providing solid depth.
Solid linebacking quartet
Attanasio, Aiden Hamilton, Kuban and Robbie Kehoe are the Mustangs’ starting linebackers.
Northville’s secondary will be led by returning starting safety Drew Rankin, who earned team captaincy along with El-Zayat and Charles (the Mustangs will also have a fourth captain who will be selected prior to each game).
“Drew is our leader on defense; he’s our quarterback on defense,” Luplow praised.
“Our other safety is Austin McGarrow, who I’m really excited about. He has the potential to be very, very good.”
O’Neil and Charles will give the Mustangs a talented cornerback duo, while Tre Gielow and Hudson Boots will see time in the defensive backfield as well.
Tough opener
Like last season when it kicked off Luplow’s debut season against Clarkston, the Mustangs will face perennial power Lake Orion in Thursday’s 7 p.m. opener at their refurbished stadium on Eight Mile Road.
New bleachers were installed at the facility during the summer, increasing capacity to approximately 4,500.
If 2024 is anything like 2023, those bleachers will be rocking with excitement.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
