Harbor Beach 26, Beal City 15
Like this photo from Quad N Productions? View and purchase any of their photography from the 2025 season here
Pirates Control the Trenches, Secure First Regional Championship Since 2018
November 15, 2025 — MHSAA Division 08 Playoffs - Regional Championship — Harbor Beach, Michigan
The Harbor Beach Pirates rallied in nearly every aspect of the game, forced two turnovers-on-downs, picked off two passes and found the end zone four times en route to their first regional championship in seven years. Harbor Beach snagged a hard-fought 26-15 victory over the defending Division 08 state champions, the Beal City Aggies on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
The two undefeated squads were ranked at the top of the state rankings all season and the anticipation held up to the billing. It was Harbor Beach who struck the first blow, first on defense, forcing the Aggies’ first drive to stall at the Pirate 34-yard line on fourth down, which the Pirates marched down the field in six plays, capped off by a three-yard run by Keagun Potestivo for the game’s first score. Skiler Kruse made it 7-0 with a successful extra point with 27 seconds left in the first quarter. Beal City responded well, scoring on the ensuing drive with Aggie quarterback, Cuyler Smith connecting with Eric Elias for a 59-yard passing touchdown. Beal City was successful on the two-point conversion to lead 8-7 just one minute into the second quarter, but it would be the only time the Aggies would lead in the game.
Harbor Beach’s next drive milked nearly seven minutes off the clock on 11 plays, covering 62 yards. Caden Bucholtz would run in the ball from six yards out to regain the Pirates’ lead, 13-8. The remainder of the first half was a feature for both defenses, not allowing much progress, with Harbor Beach entering halftime with a five-point lead.
Beal City came out in the third quarter with a head of steam, but was tripped up after Matt Geiger blasted into the backfield and brought down Smith twice for sacks totaling 22 yards, including one on fourth down giving the Pirates possession once again, still leading 13-8. Once again, Harbor Beach turned in the defensive stop into points, covering 62 yards in seven plays with Bucholtz’s second score, an eight-yard run. Kruse’s second extra-point made it 20-8 with 29 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
In what felt like the theme of the day, every time a team would deliver a shuddering blow, their foe would respond with one of their own. The Aggies didn’t flinch, marching down the field and scored for the second time when Braxton Butkovich dove into the end zone from the one-yard line with 8:11 remaining in the fourth quarter to make it once again a one-possession game, 20-15 (Connor Sienkievich with the extra point). Continuing the game’s trend, Harbor Beach wasted no time getting back to their scoring ways, scoring the final touchdown of the game on the next drive when Benson Harper broke free for a 31-yard run to make it 26-15 with 4:24 left in the ball game.
The remainder of the game featured three turnovers, two interceptions thrown by Beal City, brought in by Benson Harper and Andrew Kabban and a fumble recovered by Beal City. The second interception allowed the Pirates to run out the clock for their twelfth victory of the season.
The Pirates were led by fullback Rogan Messing who had a quiet 124 yards on 16 carries, averaging nearly eight yards a tote. Benson Harper saw his most action all year with 10 carries for 94 yards and a score. Despite just three carries for 12 yards, Andrew Kabban was named the Ameriprise Financial Player of the Game after acting as lead blocker for a majority of the game, clearing the way for Messing, Harper, Bucholtz and Potestivo. On defense, Kabban finished with two tackles, one pass breakup and one interception.
Ameriprise Financial Player of the Game:
Andrew Kabban
Andrew Kabban cleared the way for Harbor Beach to run for nearly 300 yards against one of the best defenses in the state of Michigan. Kabban acted as lead blocker, as well as brought in the final interception of the game.
The Player of the Game t-shirts are made possible by our broadcast partner, Larsen Graphics of Caro.
Beal City’s Braxton Butkovich finished with 18 carries for 98 yards and the only rushing touchdown for the Aggies. Garrison Zuker brought in three passes for 60 yards and Elias with the other score, a 59-yard strike downfield.
Harbor Beach advances to the state semi-finals on Saturday, November 22 to face off with the Bark River-Harris Broncos at Alpena High School at 1:00pm. Bark River-Harris defeated Glen Lake on Friday, running back a kickoff 88 yards as time expired; the Broncos successfully punched in the two-point conversion to win 22-21.
Coverage from Alpena, Michigan will begin at 12:00pm on Sports Radio 102.1FM, wlewsports.com and the NFHS Network with Thumb Audio/Video (subscription is required for video coverage). Kickoff will take place at 1:00pm with the winner advancing to the MHSAA Division 08 State Championship.
Check back for additional content, including our Postgame show video, Calls of the Game and more!