FRUITPORT – The Belding running game was pretty relentless last Friday, and somebody had to tackle the Black Knights.

Quite often that turned out to be Fruitport senior linebacker Easton Fett, who led the Trojan defense with eight stops.

Statistically it was a good night for Fett, who has become a big defensive weapon in his third year as a varsity starter. But it was not a night that he enjoyed very much, considering Fruitport ended up losing 36-7, ending a three-game winning streak.

Fett and the other guys on defense couldn’t be blamed too much for the loss, because the offense was not clicking, meaning the defense was on the field a lot against a very strong Belding offense that pounds opponents with its Wing-T rushing attack.

“They had a tough offense, with a big, powerful offensive line,” Fett said. “I feel like we did pretty well overall, but in some stretches we could have used more physicality. We were out there so much, they just started beating us down, physically and mentally. I learned a lot from that game.”

Despite Friday’s outcome, the news has been very good lately for Fett and the much improved Fruitport defense, which in recent years was a real trouble spot for the team, even when the offense was scoring a lot.

The difference can be seen in the numbers. Last year the Trojans gave up 195 points through their first six games. This year they have given up 151 after six.

Fruitport only allowed eight points in a win over Kelloggsville, 12 against Napoleon and 14 against Comstock Park. One of Comstock Park’s touchdowns was scored by the Panther defense, so that does not count against the Trojan D.

“During my sophomore year, we had seven sophomores who had to play on varsity,” Fett said about the team’s improvement, on both defense and offense. “We got a lot of experience when we were younger, and now in our senior year we are playing well.

“I love our defensive coaches. They are doing a great job. Every day we practice the same drills. During my sophomore years we had a hard time getting turnovers, but now we’re doing that a lot more often.”

A big part of that improvement has to do with Fett himself, a middle linebacker who has been starting since his sophomore year, learned a lot through those tough seasons, and is applying all of his accumulated knowledge on the field.

His other best games have been against Big Rapids, when he tied for the team lead with seven tackles; against Napoleon, when he totaled five stops; and against Comstock Park, when he was second on the team with six tackles.

Besides always being in the middle of the action, Fett has developed into a strong leader on defense, playing with a lot more maturity and confidence this season.

He also plays a little bit in the offensive backfield as an extra blocker, but usually he’s more valuable being on the sideline when the Trojans have the ball, sharing his insight and plotting adjustments with the defensive coaches.

“No doubt about it, he has really come into his own,” Fruitport head coach Nate Smith said about Fett. “He has a much higher level of trust in our scheme and in himself, and it’s almost like it has catapulted him to a new level. He’s stronger, faster and reads offenses much better. With two years of experience under his felt, it’s bonus time for him and he’s doing a great job.

“His biggest growth has been in his confidence and focus. He’s taken a big step up in leadership. He’s taken it upon himself to challenge his peers on the field, which is something that can be tough to do. The team and the program mean a lot to him, and he’s just taking responsibility as a senior and third-year starter to live up to the legacy of those who played before him.

“At the end of the year he will be able to say he left everything on the table. We are tremendously proud of the way he’s grown.”

Smith said the linebacker group has been extra effective because Fett has been teaming up and working extremely well with junior Josh Eppard, a first-year starter.

Eppard actually tied Fett for the lead in tackles against Belding.

“They work so well together,” Smith said. “They are both on the inside, and they ebb and flow together. It’s almost like they are one player, and it’s good to see. They both fly around.”

Fett said Eppard has been a natural fit at linebacker.

“We’re partners in the weight room,” Fett said. “We push each other and learn together. I love playing with him.

“I try to help him as much as possible, and he helps me, too. In my first year I was a little smaller than I am now and I kind of got beat up. Josh is a lot better than I was then. I think he has a great senior season ahead of him next year.”

The Trojans are down to their last three games of the regular season, starting on Friday night when they host Godwin Heights in an important O-K Silver conference game.

The three remaining games could also be the last three of Fett’s high school career. He’s hoping that doesn’t turn out to be the case, however, because a sweep would give Fruitport a 6-3 record and a good shot at making the state playoffs.

He got a small taste of the playoffs back in 2022, when he was a freshman who was called up to varsity for the postseason and saw a little bit of action.

“We lost three tough games, but we still have a chance to go 6-3,” he said. “I haven’t been to the playoffs since my freshman year. It was exciting – a little bit scary – but a great experience. It would be huge to make it again this year.”