FRUITPORT – The Fruitport Trojans had one of their biggest tests of the season on Friday, to see if they were contenders or pretenders in an always tough O-K Blue conference race.

The Trojans passed the test with flying colors, despite scoring their lowest point total of the season, defeating previously unbeaten Grand Rapids West Catholic 28-20 on Homecoming night.

Fruitport is now 5-2 on the season and 4-1 in conference play, which is good for a second-place tie.

The Trojans can earn a share of the conference crown by winning their last two games, if Hudsonville Unity Christian loses at least one.

Unity Christian and West Catholic will meet up in Week 9. Fruitport will face Hamilton next Friday.

Fruitport coach Nate Smith with Paschal Jolman on the sideline. Photo/Craig Watson

“We are super excited for our guys – it’s about time that we put a game together,” said Fruitport Coach Nate Smith. “The guys believed in each other and played like a team tonight, and I am really proud of them.

“We preach one game at a time, but I would be lying to you if I didn’t say that winning the conference was our goal. It’s not in our hands, but for us to keep that chance we have to win our games, and we did not tonight.”

The game was filled with turnovers.  Both teams fumbled the ball twice and threw two interceptions.

But the Trojans did not let their mistakes haunt them – like they did so often in the past – and only trailed in the game for one minute and 24 seconds.

The Trojans fumbled the ball on the fifth play of their first possession at their own 42-yard line.

Fruitport QB Collin Jolman slings the ball to Paschal Jolman. Photo/Craig Watson

West Catholic returned the favor on its first play from scrimmage, giving the Trojans the ball right back.

It looked like Fruitport opened the scoring on its next possession with a 15-yard touchdown pass, but a penalty erased the score, and the Trojans eventually turned the ball over on downs near the Falcon 10-yard line.

The Falcons drove the ball to their own 40 before Fruitport snagged it back with an interception by Paschal Jolman late in the first quarter.

The Trojans drove the ball inside the West Catholic 15 early in the second, but turned it over on downs after coming up three yards short on a fourth-down play.

Fruitport quickly got the ball back after a three-and-out by West Catholic, but fumbled on its first play at its own 46, giving West Catholic great field position.

Fruitport’s Brady Kemmerling (75) and Ricky Wiggins (52) celebrate on the field. Photo/Craig Watson

The Falcons moved the ball inside the Fruitport 30 but failed to convert on fourth and short.

It took the Trojans six plays on their next possession to finally end the scoreless tie.

Collin Jolman scoring on a 37-yard touchdown run on fourth down to give Fruitport a 6-0 lead with 4:19 left in the second quarter.

The Falcons turned the ball over near midfield on their next possession, giving Fruitport a chance to add to its lead.

The Trojans took advantage six plays later, scoring on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Collin Jolman to Paschal Jolman to take a 12-0 lead with 1:11 remaining in the half.

West Catholic quickly struck back on its next play, scoring on a 68-yard touchdown pass from Cole Bauer to Carter Perry to cut its deficit to 12-7.

Fruitport’s Cody Nash tries to strongarm his way past a West Catholic defender. Photo/Craig Watson

The Falcons scored six plays into the third quarter on an eight-yard touchdown run by Tim Kloska and took a 13-12 lead.

Fruitport responded quickly three plays later with a 66-yard touchdown run by Cody Nash with 8:14 left in the third quarter. The Trojans added a two-point conversion with a run by Paschal Jolman to take a 20-13 lead.

The Trojans added to their lead after stopping West Catholic on downs inside their own five-yard line.

Fruitport went on a 14-play drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown run by Paschal Jolman and took a 28-13 lead with 8:10 left in the game.

West Catholic fumbled on its next possession, but then got a 40-yard pick-six touchdown by Caleb Clinger with 4:36 left.

The Trojans closed the game by converting four first downs on their last drive to melt away the final four minutes off the clock.

Collin Jolman led Fruitport, going 6-for-14 passing for 77 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 110 yards on 18 carries and another TD.

Paschal Jolman added 81 rushing yards on 18 carries and one touchdown and caught three passes for 48 yards and a score.