HOLLAND — Friday night’s matchup against Allendale was a really big game for Fruitport for several reasons.

It was the Trojans’ first O-K Blue conference game, played at Hope College. It was also the first chance for the Trojans to regroup after a stunning loss in Week 2 and reset the course for their season.

Fruitport answered the call, once again building a big lead and this time holding onto it in a 50-35 win over the Falcons.

“I thought they came out and answered,” Fruitport coach Nate Smith said. “They came out with a little edge. I thought we played really well in the second half.

“Last week, the message was we need to be resilient, see what our character is like. Our goals are still out in front of us. We want to be near the top, if not at the top, of the O-K Blue. We know that’s a challenge and every week it’s going to be a challenge.”

Cody Nash provided an early spark for the Trojans, returning a punt for a touchdown and making an interception on defense in the first half.

“He’s a great football player, a three year varsity starter for us,” Smith said about Nash, an All-Stater last season. “We knew it was a matter of time before he was going to break a punt return or kick return. He’s electric, he’s got great speed, great quickness.”

Paschal Jolman and Collin Jolman both scored three touchdowns for Fruitport, with Collin’s all coming in the second half.

Paschal Jolman led the team with 238 rushing yards on the night.

“It just shows we can bounce back,” the senior running back said of his team’s performance. “Our team is strong enough to fight forward when things are going downhill. That’s what we really harped on this week, just pushing forward and not letting up.”

Fruitport’s defense had three takeaways in the first half. Ricky Wiggins and Andrew B. Fielstra both recovered fumbles, while Nash had an interception. Smith said he’s proud of the way the defense played, particularly against the run.

Fruitport improves to 2-1 on the season and starts O-K Blue conference play at 1-0. The Trojans go back on the road next week to face Hudsonville Unity Christian (1-2, 1-0).

Nash got the scoring started halfway through the first quarter on a 65-yard punt return touchdown. Paschal Jolman ran in a two-point conversion to put Fruitport up 8-0.

The Trojans added to their lead early in the second quarter on a 62-yard run by Paschal Jolman. Collin Jolman took care of the conversion, putting Fruitport up 16-0 with 9:35 left in the half.

Allendale got its lone points of the first half on the ensuing kickoff when Noah Spencer returned the kick 85 yards to bring his team within 16-7.

Nash came up with a big play on defense two drives later, intercepting a pass by Falcon quarterback Tyler Sparks. Three plays later, Paschal Jolman scored his second touchdown on a 43-yard run. A fumbled snap spoiled the conversion attempt, leaving the Trojan lead at 22-7 at halftime.

Collin Jolman scored on a two-yard run on the opening possession of the second half to push the lead to 28-7. Allendale answered with a score on the next drive to pull within 28-14. Collin Jolman then scored on a one-yard dive to put Fruitport ahead 36-14 at the end of three.

The Falcons scored on an 89-yard pass from Sparks to Noah Brose on the first play of the final quarter to pull within 36-21. Following a big return by Paschal Jolman, Collin Jolman scored his third touchdown of the half, a four-yard run, to make the score 44-21.

Paschal Jolman scored his third touchdown, a 79-yard burst, with 5:05 to play to make the score 50-21. Allendale scored twice down the stretch on passes from Sparks to Landon Adams and Brose, respectively, to bring the final score to 50-35.

Collin Jolman totaled 99 passing yards, 31 rushing yards and three scores. Nash had 64 yards receiving and 60 yards rushing.