FRUITPORT – Fruitport football fans and West Michigan Ironmen boosters will be happy to know that their favorite teams will be getting a lot more headlines in the coming weeks and months.

That’s because MuskegonSports.com and Van Dyk Mortgage have formed a partnership that will provide more extensive media coverage for the Trojans and Ironmen.

This fall, MuskegonSports.com will provide live coverage of all nine Fruitport varsity football games, beginning on Aug. 25 when the Trojans travel to Kenowa Hills for their non-conference season opener.

Former Fruitport quarterback Gavin Reames runs the ball in a game last season.

The website will also follow the Trojans throughout the season with a series of stories focusing on key players, upcoming games, and the development of promising youngsters at the junior varsity and freshmen level.

The Trojans are expected to have an exciting 2022 season, with the return of All-State slot receiver Cody Nash, All-Conference running back Paschal Jolman and other standouts from last year’s squad, which snuck into the playoffs with a 4-5 regular season record after playing a tough schedule.

Early next year, MuskegonSports.com will increase its already strong coverage of the Ironmen, Muskegon’s popular semipro indoor football squad that’s built a big following among local fans.

MuskegonSports.com established its Ironmen beat last spring, when the team posted a 4-1 record in an abbreviated season.

The Ironmen’s Ryan Williams scores a touchdown last season.

The staff at MuskegonSports.com has a ton of respect for the Fruitport football program and the Ironmen.

“Fruitport High School has a long history of success in varsity football, and something tells me there are some very fun seasons ahead for Trojans fans, starting this year,” said MuskegonSports.com editor Steve Gunn. “We are excited to take the lead in covering the Trojans this fall as they fight for a conference title and another berth in the playoffs.

“The Ironmen have become an important part of the local sports landscape. I remember back when they first started, and wondering if people were going to take to them, but there’s no doubt about that now. The team is great every season, it has thousands of loyal fans and we can’t wait to increase our coverage next spring.”

Van Dyk Mortgage has arranged the extra media coverage because it’s more than just a successful mortgage firm. The company has become a major supporter of area youth and semipro sports in recent years, and has a special connection to Fruitport High School and the Ironmen.

Ironmen receiver Sterling Alexander hauls in a catch. 

Van Dyk Mortgage marketing coordinator Nate Smith is the head varsity football coach at Fruitport while Van Dyk branch manager Mario Flores is the inside linebackers coach.

Flores owns the Ironmen, while Smith is the team’s general manager and head coach.

Both men are heavily involved in football throughout the year, and they want to make sure their players get proper recognition and fans get a steady flow of news.

“We’re excited,” Flores said about the new media coverage arrangement. “Giving back to the community is what we’ve always done at Van Dyk Mortgage in the 19 years I’ve been there, and we appreciate what MuskegonSports.com does for the community with the articles and feature stories on players.

“We really like the fact that MuskegonSports.com will be covering us. It means a lot.”100