The Comstock Park Panthers and Fruitport Trojans squared off on Friday night in a battle of 0-2 clubs. Both programs showed the fight of a team desperate for their first victory of the season. In the end, just one team could accomplish that, and it would be Fruitport in a 30-27 thriller.
Comstock Park got the scoring started in this contest, as Ashton Fish found Christian Robinson on a 15-yard touchdown pass. Fruitport would quickly respond, as a big pass led to Riley King burying a field goal and trimming the lead to four points, 7-3.
The Trojans would continue their run with 14 additional points, both on touchdown runs by Kalan Teeter. This gave Fruitport a commanding 17-7 advantage.
Down by ten, Comstock Park mounted a rally. They get two touchdowns before the half, on passes to Logan Nyenhuis and Jace Cummings from three yards out. As a result, they took a 21-17 lead into the locker room.
The Panthers’ defense provided the next score, as #0 stepped in front of a Fruitport pass and raced 30 yards for a score. Coach Doug Samuels elected to go for two, and the failed conversion left Comstock Park ahead by 10, 27-17.
Fruitport would inch closer in the third quarter, as quarterback Bradon Dornbos bowled across the goal line from three years out. A failed conversion left the Trojans down by four, 27-23, headed into the final frame.
With 2:30 to play, the lead shifted once more. Fruitport faced a crucial fourth down, where they found Da’Syne Williams for a 19-yard touchdown pass.
There was enough time for Comstock Park to mount a rally, trailing by three, and they attempted to do just that. The Panthers raced down the field, getting down to the Fruitport 16 yard line. Facing a fourth down and ten within field goal range, Coach Samuels sent his offense back onto the field rather than attempt a tying kick. Comstock Park tossed the ball toward the end zone, and this pass was intercepted, allowing the Trojans escape winners.
