WYOMING – One week after a heartbreaking season-opening loss, the Fruitport football team responded with the type of performance that first-year head coach John Shipley was looking for.

Behind a dominant rushing attack, long offensive possessions and timely defensive plays, the Trojans defeated Godwin Heights 27-16 in an O-K Silver Conference matchup on the road, giving Shipley his first victory as Fruitport’s head coach.

“I’m just so proud of our kids – I’m so happy for our seniors,” Shipley said. “They’ve worked extremely hard in the weight room this offseason, and they have come together and bought into our vision and our culture.”

For Shipley, the victory was especially meaningful after Fruitport lost 34-28 to Hopkins in last week’s season opener on a heartbreaking pick-six  with 49 seconds remaining.

“I mean, it was a tough one last week, against a really good team, and it stung,” Shipley said. “Our conversation the following day in film was, through discomfort comes healing.”

Against Godwin Heights, Fruitport showed it could finish a game on a high note. The Trojans controlled the game on the ground and kept an explosive Wolverines’ offense on the sideline for extended stretches.

“We had a game plan coming in this week, trying to use that as our best defense –  keeping our offense on the field, keeping their quarterback off the field,” Shipley said. “I thought our kids did a great job of executing that tonight.”

Shipley gave a lot of credit to the guys in the trenches.

“I mean, it all starts up front for us, the offensive and defensive line,” he said. “They set the tone, and then everybody else follows them.”

One player who worked extra hard on Thursday to put last week’s loss in the rear view mirror was senior running back-linebacker Josh Eppard, who rushed for 162 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns while also picking off a Godwin Heights pass.

“The loss was stunning, we lit it slip through our hands, but it was good to get back on the field and get the win.” Eppard said. “It feels good (this season), with a new direction and a lot of positives. We can make the playoffs this year, giving us a new motivation.”

Fruitport established its identity immediately, opening the game with a 15-play, 65-yard drive that took nearly 11 minutes off the clock.

Senior quarterback Brady Hanson capped it with an 11-yard touchdown run on fourth down, and Ethan Deephouse’s extra point made it 7-0.

After Fruitport’s defense forced a punt, Johnnie Kempker broke loose for 47 yards on an option play to set up another score. Eppard eventually punched it in from two yards out, extending the lead to 13-0.

Godwin Heights responded with an 82-yard scoring drive, capped by quarterback Martellis Forest’s 14-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion to make it 13-8.

Fruitport answered before halftime with another lengthy possession.

Eppard broke a 17-yard run, the Liam Campbell punched in a score from a year out, giving the Trojans a 20-8 halftime advantage.

Godwin Heights drove into Fruitport territory on its opening possession of the second half, but Eppard intercepted Forest to end the threat.

The Trojans turned the takeaway into another long scoring drive, with Eppard carrying the ball six times before adding an 8-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter. That gave Fruitport a 27-8 lead.

The Wolverines put together a 95-yard touchdown drive which ended when Forest found Isaiah Walker for a 3-yard score on fourth down. Forest ran in the two-point conversion, cutting Fruitport’s lead to 27-16 with 3:52 remaining.

Godwin Heights attempted an onside kick, but Fruitport recovered. Eppard then broke a 26-yard run on the Trojans’ final possession, before Hanson took a knee to secure Shipley’s first win.

Kempker finished with two carries for 57 yards. Campbell had two catches for 29 yards and rushed for 32 yards and a touchdown.

Fruitport’s defense generated solid pressure on the Wolverines throughout the night. Gideon Marksbury recorded a tackle for a loss on Godwin Heights’ opening possession, while Leland Brauer and Colton Smith each recorded sacks. Bryson Cena also made a tackle for a loss early in the second half.

Kempker led the Trojans with 4 1/2 tackles while Alan Jackson had four and Mason DeVries had 3 1/2.