LAST YEAR: The Trojans had another banner season, finishing 17-4-3 overall and 10-0 in O-K Silver conference play. They won their second straight conference and Division 2 district championships. They won the district title with an exciting 3-2 come-from-behind overtime shootout victory over Allendale, then lost to Cedar Springs in another dramatic shootout in regionals.
RETURNING THIS SEASON: For the first time in a few years, the Trojans will be starting over with a lot of new faces in the lineup, after losing a ton of great players to graduation.
There is only one returning starter, but he is a very good one. Senior centerback Hudson Hazekamp earned second-team All-State honors last season, as well as All-Region, All-District and All-Conference honors. The big 6-foot-5, 215 pound athlete will be a huge leader and driving force for Fruitport again this season.
Several other players also return from last year’s team, and will have bigger roles this fall.
They include senior Jyles Smith and junior Quincy McDaniels, who have both shown real scoring potential, and senior goalie Sebastian Sweet, who will take over the job between the pipes this season.
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Also returning and looking to have an impact are seniors Gavin Wilson and Connor King and juniors Caleb Chandler and Tate Marshall.
A FEW PROMISING NEWCOMERS: The Trojans will have a number of newcomers who will have opportunities to make a difference right away.
A big one on that list is senior Hayden Taylor, a 6-foot-5 defender who will bring a lot of physicality to the back line.
Sophomore Cole Luker is a midfielder who the coaches expect to have an immediate impact, and sophomore Roger Camp has also shown a lot of promise.
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TEAM STRENGTHS AND CHALLENGES: The Trojans have shown a willingness to work at a high rate and play unselfishly. As head coach Dan Hazekamp put it, “It’s a group that wants to prove themselves. Losing 15 players from a really good team last year leads to some transition and opportunities. Players are working hard to earn a role and step into those opportunities.”
The challenges include figuring out how a lot of talented but less experienced players fit together, building team chemistry, and dealing with the most difficult schedule that the team has played in years, with very good teams to compete against in the conference and at the district tournament level.
ROSTER COMPOSITION: The Trojans will have a balanced roster, with six seniors, seven juniors, five sophomores and two freshmen.
FIRST COMPETITION: Four games – two apiece on Friday and Saturday – at the Boyne Mountain Invitational.
COACH COMMENT: “We have a great collection of young men and families. We’ve caught a few tough breaks this summer, but this is a group that is working hard to grow each day. We are excited to get the opportunity to compete.” – Dan Hazekamp
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