Northville’s football team in good hands with senior QB1 Derkach

Not many football players are born to be quarterbacks — the position that demands superior athleticism, crunch-time leadership qualities and a cool disposition during tense, late-game scenarios.

Northville senior QB Cooper Derkach may have not been clutching a mini football in his bassinet, but not too many years later he was commanding youth football league huddles and terrorizing defenses with his dual-threat capabilities and field-general qualities.

“I’ve always been a quarterback,” Derkach reflected during a break in the KLAA Football Media Day held earlier this month at Genitti’s Hole In the Wall in Northville.

“I’ve always like being a leader and being in control.”

Patience pays off

Admittedly “a little bummed” when he didn’t get the first-string nod at the outset of his junior year in 2024, Derkach excelled at multiple other positions while he patiently waited his turn to lead the Mustangs’ offense.

“I was a little disappointed because I worked my tail off (in the months leading up to his junior season), but Michael (Cygan) won the job and he deserved it. It made it easier for me being the back-up because I really liked and respected Michael.”

When Cygan suffered an unfortunate season-ending broken collarbone in Northville’s third game in 2024, it opened up a chance for Derkach to show his stuff.

And he didn’t disappoint.

“When Michael got hurt, it opened up an opportunity for me, and I used it to prove myself,” Derkach said.

One-man wrecking crew

In Northville’s fourth game of season at Canton, Derkach helped the Mustangs spoil the Cobras’ homecoming festivities by completing 11 of 15 passes for 261 yards and five touchdowns in a 54-0 Mustang win. He also ran four times for 85 yards and a sixth score.

He scored well in the clutch department in Northville’s Week 9 cross-over game against a solid Dearborn Fordson team when he threw a last-minute touchdown pass to break a 14-14 tie in a game the Mustangs ultimately won 27-14.

Although Northville lost a tough match-up with Saline in the first round of the 2024 playoffs, it didn’t diminish the vast potential Derkach possesses heading into the 2025 Aug. 28 season-opener against state-ranked Lake Orion.

“Cooper has improved immensely over the last calendar year with not only his knowledge, his confidence, but his leadership,” raved Northville Head Coach Brent Luplow.

‘Coach on the field’

“His biggest improvement has been his ability to get guys where they need to be and have a complete understanding of what we are trying to accomplish, basically making himself a coach on the field. Cooper is a great athlete and has worked tirelessly over the last two years, rarely missing a workout — the type of leadership that represents what we want out of our returning seniors each year.

“He is poised for a special senior season playing all over the field: offense, defense and special teams.”

Derkach wears No. 14 for the Mustangs — a choice of numbers that comes with an interesting history.

“I’m a big Michigan State football fan and my favorite QB when I was a kid was (Spartan QB) Brian Lewerke, who wore No. 14,” he explained.

Playing for ex-QB helps

Derkach said the fact his head coach was a former quarterback has helped his development at the position.

“Coach Luplow knows what I’m going through and he’s played a huge role in helping me improve,” he said.

Not surprisingly given he lives in metro Detroit, Derkach is a huge Jared Goff fan.

He loves Northville

“I love watching Goff, but if I had to compare myself to an NFL quarterback, I’d say I’m more like Kyler Murray because I like to run and pass,” Derkach said.

Derkach couldn’t be more happy playing in a community that embraces its high school sports teams.

“The fan support in Northville is amazing; our stands are always packed and everybody is into the games,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for a better school to play for.”

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.