FRUITPORT – There will be football played at Doc Pierce Field at Fruitport High School on Saturday morning.

No, it’s not the real thing, at least not yet. The Fruitport varsity and junior varsity squads will test themselves against teams from three other schools in 7-on-7 matchups.

But it’s a sure sign that the new season is just around the corner, and if you look at the calendar, you will see how true that is.

Fruitport will open the 2025 season on Aug. 28 at home against rival Spring Lake. The Trojans are looking at a promising season, with eight starters returning on both sides of the ball, and a lot of skilled players back in the lineup.

MuskegonSport.com, the media home of Fruitport athletics, will be at all the games again this year to report on all the action.

Heading into the new season, we are looking for a few new ad sponsors (at very low prices) to help us continue our wall-to-wall, all-sports coverage for Fruitport during the 2025-26 school year. Interested businesses and organizations are encouraged to email [email protected].

“We want to make the playoffs and win the conference,” said Fruitport head coach Nate Smith, who is beginning his eighth season with the team. “We know we have our work cut out for us, but we want to get back on that trajectory. That’s what quality programs do.

“I don’t think it’s wishful thinking. We’re going to have to work hard, and some things will have to go our way, but our kids have been maturing, physically and just as athletes.”

The 2024 season was a bounce-back year of sorts for the Trojans. They finished with a 3-6 record, and while it was not a winning season, it was far better than Fruitport’s 0-9 mark in 2023.

The highlights included a thrilling come-from-behind 30-27 win over Comstock Park, which broke the Trojans’ frustrating 12-game losing streak. Fruitport also defeated Muskegon Catholic Central 35-14, then finished the season with a resounding 48-14 victory over Kelloggsville.

There were several close calls that could have resulted in wins and improved the Trojans’ final mark, including a 15-12 loss to Godwin Heights and a 27-23 loss to Holland.

Tasting victory again was a huge confidence-builder for the players, and with so many of them back this year, even better results are expected, according to Coach Smith.

The Trojans will feature a lot of players who did some exciting things last year, including slot receiver DayDay Williams, quarterback Brady Hanson, running back Liam Campbell and wide receiver Blair Zimmer.

“Looking back on last year, I know we did not have all the success we wanted to have, but there were a lot of pieces that we felt good about,” Smith said. “We created some good momentum in terms of building things.

“The guys here now look so different than they did, even just back in November and December. They are stronger and faster, and they are working well together, with or without coaches around. There is a big desire to play well this year.”

The Trojans will leave for a football camp at Hope College next Wednesday, and will begin two-a-day practices in the second week of August.