FRUITPORT – The long playoff wait is finally over for the community of Fruitport.

The Trojans opened the playoffs with a home contest against former conference rival Ludington on Friday, looking to get their program’s first postseason victory in 16 years.

Fruitport trailed a couple of times early in the contest, but took control in the second quarter, scoring 30 unanswered points to eventually cruise to a 54-28 win over the Orioles in the Division 4 pre-district round.

The Trojans will now look to win their first district championship since 2001, when they advanced all the way to the state finals. Fruitport will travel next week to play undefeated Whitehall, which won its pre-district game 42-14 over Big Rapids.

“We talked about playing for the love of the game this week,” said Fruitport coach Nate Smith. “For the love of each other and our love for the community. I think they came out a little amped up, so we were over-pursuing tackles and not focusing on our assignments.

“The guys locked in after we called a time out, and at that point it was a different game the rest of the way.”

The Orioles recovered an onside kick on the opening play of the game, then scored on their sixth play from scrimmage on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Chase Hackert to Aidan Gilchrist to take an early 7-0 lead.

The Trojans quickly responded four plays later with a seven-yard touchdown completion from quarterback Collin Jolman to Bobby Canfield.

Collin Jolman added the two-point conversion run to give Fruitport an 8-7 lead with 7:44 left in the first quarter.

Ludington punched back with a five-yard touchdown run by Hackert with 4:55 left in the first quarter and took a 14-8 lead.

Paschal Jolman put the Trojans back on top for good with a 53-yard touchdown run with 2:47 left in the first quarter. Collin Jolman ran in the conversion to give Fruitport a 16-14 lead.

The Trojans gained control in the second quarter, outscoring Ludington by a 30-0 margin.

Paschal Jolman scored on runs of two and 92 yards, then Canfield caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from Collin Jolman with 5:21 remaining in the half.

The Trojans closed out the first half with a six-yard TD run by Collin Jolman with under a minute remaining.

Fruitport led 46-14 at halftime.

The Trojans added on to their lead with a 38-yard touchdown run by Collin Jolman in the third quarter.

The Orioles fought back in the fourth quarter, ending the Fruitport run with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Hackert to Levi Laman with 6:02 left in the contest.

Ludington then added the final score of the game with 43 seconds remaining on a seven-yard touchdown run by Cameron Gunsell.

Paschal Jolman led the Trojans with 154 rushing yards on 10 carries and three touchdowns.

“This group of seniors has been working hard for the last four years to get where we are right now,” Paschal said. “It feels good to have the success that we have been having, and to leave our legacy as one of the best.”

Collin Jolman was 7-for-11 passing for 130 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 60 yards on five carries and two scores.

Canfield caught two passes for 51 yards and two touchdowns, while Paschal Jolman had three receptions for 42 yards.

The Trojans were paced defensively by Brock Dornbos and Kayden Beardsley with seven and six tackles, respectively.

The Orioles were led by Hackert, who went 12-for-27 passing for 222 yards and two touchdowns, while Trey Forfinski had 31 yards rushing on 12 carries.

David Shillinger caught two passes for 87 yards for Ludington while Laman had four receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown.

Forfinski led the Ludington defense with 5.5 tackles.