By Andrew Johnson
LocalSportsJournal.com
FRUITPORT – The Fruitport Trojans took a step forward to reaching their preseason goal of making the state football playoffs by posting a 49-14 victory over Orchard View on Friday.
Seniors Jarod Wierengo and Nick Kramer each scored three first half rushing touchdowns to give the Trojans a 42-0 halftime lead and end any semblance of suspense.
Fruitport improved to 4-3 on the season and will probably have to win their final two games to make the playoffs. The Trojans visit St. John’s next week and are home against DeWitt in Week 9.
Orchard View (2-5) got fourth quarter touchdowns from Isais Reyes and Keyshawn Summerville, while the Trojans scored on a 60-yard touchdown run by Seth Glover.
The Trojan defense played a big role by created three Cardinal turnovers. O-V also turned the ball over on downs two times, which prevented the visitors from getting their offense in motion.
While some may have expected a Trojan letdown after their heartbreaking loss to Muskegon Catholic last week, Coach Greg Vargas said his message to his team was to make sure that didn’t happen.
“The message this week and before the game tonight was to not have a letdown, we have to keep learning and growing so that we can get better,” Vargas said.
Orchad View’s Dakota Goosen rushes the ball while Dev’ron Williams looks to block as Fruitport’s No. 11 Matt Sander and No. 12 Zack Miller pursue. Photo/Stacey Flores
Wierengo, Fruitport’s senior quarterback, said last week’s last minute loss to Catholic is in the past, and it’s all about winning the remaining games.
“Last week was really tough, we came in this week close minded and focused on Orchard View,” he said. “We prepared just as hard this week as we did for Catholic last week.
“During our (preseason senior) meeting we talked about our goals, and we all said playoffs, so now every week we are fighting towards that goal.”
Kramer, who ran for 159 yards on 13 carries with three touchdowns, said that it would mean a lot for the senior class to get to the playoffs this year.
“As a class we’ve yet to make the playoffs and before the season we said we wanted to make sure that we got at least one extra game this year,” Kramer said.
