A-K Valley all-time leading passer Derek Burk of Deer Lakes wins Valley News Dispatch offensive player of the year honors

By: Michael Love
Saturday, December 16, 2023 | 5:09 PM

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Offensive player of the year

Derek Burk

Deer Lakes, QB, sr.

When Derek Burk stepped on the field against rival Freeport in the Allegheny 6 Conference finale, he had his sights set on doing what he could to help Deer Lakes clinch a spot in the playoffs for the second year in a row.

He ended the game with 200 passing yards and three touchdowns as the Lancers won 35-0.

The victory also came with some personal accomplishment as Burk became the Alle-Kiski Valley’s all-time leader in career passing yards, surpassing 2023 Highlands graduate Chandler Thimons for the record.

Burk ended his varsity career with 5,313 yards through the air.

“It is humbling to be put among so many of the great quarterbacks who played on teams in the A-K Valley,” Burk said. “For my name to be at the top, it is a pretty special feeling.”

Burk helped Deer Lakes make it to the WPIAL quarterfinals before falling to Class 3A juggernaut Belle Vernon, which went on to claim WPIAL and PIAA championships in dominating fashion.

He got the job done this year with both his arm and his legs. Burk finished the season with 1,984 passing yards and 27 touchdowns against just seven interceptions while rushing for 477 yards and seven additional scores.

His efforts in helping lead a potent Deer Lakes offensive attack has earned him Valley News Dispatch Offensive Player of the Year honors for the 2023 season.

Burk receives the accolade out of a group of worthy candidates that included a pair of juniors in Leechburg quarterback Jayden Floyd and Knoch quarterback Codi Mullen.

“I am grateful for the season I had, but there is no doubt I wouldn’t have been able to do it without some great guys around me,” Burk said. “I will always remember who was there and was a part of it, from the receivers who caught my passes and the offensive linemen who gave me time to throw and run. And also the running backs like (junior) Zier (Williams) who ran well and would pull the defense up and keep them honest.

“I will always remember the overall success and bond we had as a group this year. The way we were able to work together and push each other in the offseason and during the season made all the difference.”

Burk said the emotions were high at home Nov. 3 as the Lancers topped Southmoreland for the first playoff win in school history. He threw for 146 yards and three touchdowns to junior Zach Grant in the 48-18 triumph. He also contributed a rushing score in the victory.

“I felt such excitement and also the feeling that I was able to experience that with my teammates and especially my dad (head coach Tim Burk),” he said. “We all worked so hard for a moment like that.”

Burk said he and his teammates were relaxed and excited to go up against a team like Belle Vernon.

“We got to see where we stood,” he said. “We went in there ready to play football and see what we could do. It was a tough game, but I think we didn’t back down at all. After the game, we were able to reflect on just how much we did grow as a team and how much we got better.”

Burk now is looking to the future and his best college fit, both academically and athletically.

He said he is weighing his options from schools at the Division I, II and II levels.

“Things are a little hectic right now,” Burk said. “There are so many schools at different times. I’ve got a lot to go through so I can make the best decision.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Deer Lakes