The Fruitport Trojans football team is hungry to turn things around this season after struggling last year.
(Photo courtesy of Localsportsjournal.com)
By Nate Thompson
LocalSportsJournal.com
FRUITPORT – Almost immediately after the 2023 season had wrapped up, Fruitport varsity head coach Nate Smith knew he had to make some changes to the program.
Unfortunately, the Trojans couldn’t follow up on the success it saw in 2022, when they went 8-3 and qualified for the Division 4 playoffs. Things were drastically different a year ago, as a much less experienced Trojans squad struggled mightily to an 0-9 season, one in which they were outscored by a combined 289 points.
“We attacked (changes to the program) right when the season was over,” Smith said, who is entering his seventh season as Fruitport’s head coach. “We had a staff meeting and we identified certain deficiencies and areas where we were lacking. And from there, we made necessary changes.”
Smith said some of the biggest changes involved revamping his defensive coaching staff. He brought on former Grand Haven assistant Jason Durham as defensive coordinator, while another former Bucs’ coach, Mike Farley, will also be on the defensive staff and is leading the Trojans’ strength and conditioning.
“They’ve been a huge addition for us,” Smith said. “It’s been a big change for me, but it’s two guys that I’ve known when I was (an assistant) at Grand Haven, and I’ve got complete trust in them. And more importantly, the kids have really bought in.”
Smith said Fruitport was forced to throw so many underclassmen into the fire a year ago, but a positive from that dilemma is the experience they were able to gain. Smith said six starters return on the defensive side of the ball, but as many as 10 players saw quality reps in ‘23. Leading the charge will be senior two-way lineman Caden Carrillo, who at 6-foot-1, 295-pounds, will look to plug up a lot of running lanes again as a defensive tackle.
Joining Carrillo on the D-line will be junior Luke Westerlund, senior Alex Morse and David Johnson-Jimenez at ends, and junior Tay Thompson at tackle.
Smith likes the depth and talent at linebacker, led by returning senior Easton Fett and junior Carsen Crowe. Sophomore Josh Eppard will also look to make some noise in the middle, while the outside linebackers include juniors Blair Zimmer and Kalan Teeter, and freshman Liam Campbell, who will also be the JV team's quarterback.
Returning varsity quarterback Bradon Dornbos, a senior, will also see time at linebacker.
In the secondary, the Trojans are led by 5-9, 150-pound junior Day Day Williams, who has elite speed at the position, but also isn’t afraid to stick his nose into the action and play physical.
Sophomore Brady Hanson will split time between corner and safety, and is also the Trojans’ backup quarterback, while junior Justin Woodard will also see time in the secondary.
Offensively, Smith said not only has Dornbos emerged as one of the team’s definite leaders this off-season, but he’s also become a much more accurate passer.
“We’ve dove deep into working on his technique and just becoming more consistent with every throw,” Smith said. “He’s also put in a lot of time on his own going to different collegiate spotlight camps. He has that desire to get better.”
Crowe and Fett figure to be the primary ball carriers in Smith’s run-heavy offense, but they’ll look to get the ball in the hands of Williams at receiver, along with Teeter and Zimmer and sophomore Bryson Simila.
At tight end, Smith said he has a couple good targets in Zach Durakovic and Johnson-Jimenez.
Smith feels he has a good starting unit in place on the offensive line, led by Carrillo at guard, and fellow big body in 275-pounder Angel Krueger at tackle. Guard Chase Rosema, a tremendous power lifter, was a transfer who didn’t play for the Trojans a year ago, but is expected to start at guard, along with Morse and Mackiel Williams at center, who Smith calls, “Big and strong; perfect at center.”
Smith will lead the Trojans into a new color in the O-K Red Conference this season, the O-K Silver, with new opponents including Comstock Park, Belding, Godwin Heights, Hopkins, Holland and Kelloggsville. Smith believes this group is ready to right the ship.
“They’ve shown a desire that I haven’t seen here before,” he said. “They’ve been locked in at practice and they don’t mess around. I think they know they don’t want to experience another season like last year. But there’s still a confidence factor that I believe we’ll need to grow into. But they’re so hungry to turn things around.”
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