FRUITPORT – The “Battle of the Bayou” rivalry has been owned by Spring Lake for the last three seasons, and early in Friday’s annual rematch it looked like the Lakers would win a fourth straight quite easily.

The Lakers, who entered the game unbeaten, jumped out to a 21-point lead in the first half, but the Trojans fought back and made Spring Lake earn the rivalry win.

The Trojans had the ball, down by three points with four minutes remaining, and needed to drive 98 yards to earn a comeback victory.

The Spring Lake defense rose to the occasion, stopping Fruitport’s last-ditch effort at the 27-yard line, and the Lakers held on for a thrilling 35-32 victory at Fruitport High School.

Spring Lake’s Derrick Paggeot

The Lakers are off to a 4-0 start and will look to stay undefeated next week when they play O-K Blue Conference opponent Hamilton.

“It is such a fun game to be a part of,” said Spring Lake coach Dan Start. “Anytime you play Fruitport it’s going to be a battle. You can throw out the records because these kids come out to scrap and it’s going to be a battle.”

The Trojans jumped out to a 7-0 lead, scoring on the fourth play of their first possession on a 69-yard touchdown completion from quarterback Gavin Reames to Camden Farrell.

Spring Lake quickly responded on its first drive with a three-yard touchdown run by Christian Folkert to tie the game 7-7 with 8:10 left in the first quarter.

The Laker defense forced a turnover on downs on Fruitport’s second drive, then took a 14-7 lead with a two-yard touchdown run by Andrew Von Wahlde.

Fruitport quarterback Gavin Reames looks for a receiver. Photo/Tonya Pardon

The Lakers increased their lead to 21-7 with 10:05 left in the second quarter on a 13-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jackson Core to Ty French.

The Trojans were quickly forced to punt on their next drive, and Spring Lake took advantage with a five-yard touchdown run by Folkert to grab a 28-7 lead.

Fruitport closed out the first half scoring with 40 seconds left on a three-yard run TD by Paschal Jolman.

Spring Lake held a 28-14 halftime advantage.

The Trojans forced Spring Lake to punt on its first drive of the second half, then nailed a 30-yard field goal by Brady Brown to cut the deficit to 28-17 with 7:24 left in the third.

The Lakers ended the Fruitport run by scoring on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Core to Carter Sabo with 5:32 remaining in the third quarter to take a 35-17 lead.

Fruitport responded three plays later after a 12-yard run by Reames and 64-yard pass by backup QB Collin Jolman to Cody Nash. Nash then finished the drive with a four-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 35-24 with 4:22 remaining in the third.

Fruitport’s Paschal Jolman tries to avoid a tackle by Spring Lake’s Gerrit Lyyski. Photo/Tonya Pardon.

The Trojans scored an early fourth quarter touchdown on a nine-yard pass from Reames to Farrell with 10:49 left in the game.

Spring Lake then melted almost six minutes of the clock, going on an 11-play 71-yard drive. But Fruitport stuffed the Lakers on fourth down at its own two-yard line, keeping hopes for a comeback alive.

The Trojans had the ball with four minutes remaining and 98 yards to go for a potential game-winning touchdown.

Fruitport converted on a fourth down from the five-yard line on a 15-yard pass from Reames to Farrell, but failed to convert on its second fourth down of the drive.

The Lakers stopped Fruitport on fourth and three from the 27-yard line, then took a knee to end the contest.

“They make plays,” said Start about the Trojans offense. “Even though it’s 98 yards in four minutes, you’re not comfortable because at any point they can go all the way.”

The Lakers were paced by Core, who threw for 207 yards on 9-for-12 passing and two touchdowns.

“It was a battle the whole game and they gave us everything they had,” Core said. “That was a game to remember for sure. We knew they were going to give us their best.”

Folkert finished with 131 rushing yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns while Brodie Lightfoot added 56 yards on six attempts.

The Trojans have had a couple of close losses and are 1-3 on the season. They will return to action next Friday against Grand Rapids West Catholic.

Reames paced the Trojans with 310 yards through the air on 16-for-30 passing and two touchdowns.

Farrell caught seven passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns while Nash added 90 yards receiving on two receptions.

Jolman rushed for 71 yards on eight carries and a touchdown.